Gladbach defender Chiarodia helps Italy qualify for U21 Euros with big win over Poland

Fabio Chiarodia played the entire game as Italy qualified for the 2027 U21 Euros in Albania and Serbia with a 6-2 victory over Poland. The visitors had a perfect record before the final game of the group stage, but they will now hope to finish top of the second-placed ranking.

Italy took a two-goal lead before the break with early goals from Paris FC striker Luca Koleosho and ex-PSG man Cher Ndour. The current Fiorentina midfielder completed his brace ten minutes after the restart before Luca Lipani, Seydou Fini and Luigi Cherubini added more goals.

Ex-Parma striker Daniel Mikołajewski and Jakub Zewlakow scored Poland’s goals. Jerzy Brzęczek’s side has only conceded five goals in their nine qualifying games before finishing the group stage with a heavy defeat.

Borussia Mönchengladbach’s center-back has missed four games in the qualifying campaign due to injury, but he has played every minute in the other six matches. The 21-year-old will hope to make his first appearance of the Bundesliga season when Alexander Blessin starts his assignment with the derby against Köln. Dortmund's defender Filippo Mane also featured in four games during Italy's successful qualification campaign.

In addition to co-hosts Albania and Serbia, Croatia, Norway, Portugal, England and France have confirmed their places via the qualification process. The top second-best team will also book their ticket, while the rest will enter a playoff round, which will be played in November’s international break.

The group stage of the U21 Euros qualifiers will be completed with 21 games on Tuesday. Germany will hope to earn automatic qualification as they host Georgia in Bielefeld.