The Under-21s will be back in action on Friday 24 and Monday 27 March for their final two friendlies before the European Championships in Romania in June, which sees the Azzurrini in a difficult group alongside Norway, Switzerland and France. First, they will travel to Serbia, before facing Ukraine at stadio Oreste Granillo in Reggio Calabria.

The first game in Serbia will be played in Backa Topola and will be the sixth meeting at this Under-21 level. The head to head record is even, with two wins apiece and the same number of draws. The previous game between Serbia and Italy was a friendly on 27 March 2018, played in Karadjordje, and won 1-0 by Italy thanks to a Luca Vido goal. 

Three days later and the youngsters will return to Reggio Calabria, after 21 years, to face Ukraine. They last played there in November 2001 against Poland in a European qualifying group game that ended 0-0. There have been four previous meetings with Ukraine: three wins for Italy and one for the Gialloblù, with the last one ten years ago in March 2013, which saw the Azzurrini run out winners 1-0 in a friendly in Bassano del Grappa; Ciro Immobile got the goal.

Last week, the Under 21s learnt their opponents for EURO 2025 qualification, which kicks off in September. The Azzurrini have been placed into Group A and will face the Republic of Ireland, Norway, Turkey, Estonia and San Marino. UEFA has chosen Slovakia as the tournament's host country, a place that brings back fond memories for Italy after beating the Czech Republic in the final there in 2000, courtesy of a Andrea Pirlo double.