Ireland Under-21s take on Italy in Trieste on Tuesday evening knowing a win over the Italians will see them qualify for the Under-21 European Championships for the first time in their history.

They face an Italy team that are yet to lose in Group A, however Ireland are boosted by the return of striker Sinclair Armstrong.

Ireland are sat in second place, and should they miss out on three points they can still qualify for a Play-Off place if they match or better Norway’s result against Türkiye. Those teams also go head-to-head tomorrow evening.

Match Details

Italy U21 v Ireland U21
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier
Tuesday, October 15
Stadio Nereo Rocco, Trieste, Italy
Kick-off 5.30pm (Irish time) 6.30pm (local time)

Quotes

Ireland Under-21 midfielder Andrew Moran, said: “We’ve grown throughout the campaign. Players are now playing week in, week out, so naturally that quality is shining through. We’ve an amazing opportunity against the Italians but the performances we’ve produced against them in Cork and against other teams in this group show we shouldn’t go there with fear.”

Ireland Under-21 Head Coach Jim Crawford, said:  “This is a great position to be in. To be going into the final game with a chance to top the group is a credit to this group. When the draw was made we would have taken this opportunity. Over the last few years we’re getting closer and closer and I do sense a growing belief among Irish players we can get there.”

Where to watch: Coverage of the game will begin at 5pm (Irish time) on RTÉ2.

Republic of Ireland Under-21s Squad

Goalkeepers: Tiernan Brooks (Gateshead), Killian Cahill (Brighton & Hove Albion), Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Emmanuel Adegboyega (Dundee United, on loan from Norwich City), Tayo Adaramola (Stockport County, on loan from Crystal Palace) Sam Curtis (Peterborough United, on loan from Sheffield United), Anselmo Garcia-MacNulty (PEC Zwolle), Connor O’Brien (Accrington Stanley), Connor O’Riordan (Cambridge United, on loan from Blackburn Rovers), Sean Roughan (Lincoln City)

Midfielders: Baba Adeeko (Wigan Athletic), Matt Healy (Royal Francs Borains), Andrew Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren, on loan from Crystal Palace), Rocco Vata (Watford)

Forwards: Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City), Aidomo Emakhu (Millwall), Johnny Kenny (Shamrock Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Mark O’Mahony (Portsmouth, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace)