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Italy U19 vs Portugal U19 Prediction & Betting tips
After the U20 World Cup and the U21 European Championships, the third junior tournament will be held this summer from Sunday onwards with the U19 European Championship. Host of the finals is Armenia for the first time. By July 27, eight nations will play in two groups with four teams for the title. The two group winners and runners-up qualify for the semi-finals. The final round opens on Sunday afternoon with the match between hosts Armenia and Spain. In Group A, at 18:00 hrs at Banants Stadium in Yerevan, the new edition of last year’s U19 European Championship final between Italy and Portugal will take place.
Last year, Portugal’s U19 selection at the finals in Finland won the final against Italy 4: 3 after extra time, making them the third time overall since 1994 and 1999 European U19 Championships. Once again, both nations are once again among the top favorites for the title. The defending champion goes ahead of the group match Italy vs.. Portugal according to the odds as easy favorite in the game.
Italy :
The U19 national team of Italy has so far once won the European Championship title. In 2003, the Azzurrini won 2-0 in the final against Portugal. In addition, Italy had already six times in the European Championship final (1986, 1995, 1999, 2008, 2016 and 2018) confessed, but in the end always had to settle for second place. In 1999 and 2018, the final opponents had been called Portugal.
In qualifying for the finals in 2019 Italy took first three wins against Estonia, Finland and Denmark. In the Group 7, the reigning European Vice-Champion then secured the ticket by a 2-2 draw against Belgium, a 3-1 win over Ukraine and a 2-0 win over Serbia. Until the last international match the U19 selection had been supervised by Federico Guidi.
Guidi had not extended its expiring in May 2019 contract, however, and had resigned from the office before the final round. As a successor Carmine Nunziata was named, who had already led the U17 selection 2018 and 2019 two consecutive times to runner-up European title. The new coach celebrates thus in the first group match against Portugal his debut as head coach. Not in the squad are Salvatore Esposito, Davide Bettella, Raoul Bellanova and Alessio Riccardi. The first three had already played the U20 World Cup for Italy and Riccardi is currently injured.
All 20 players in the squad earn their money in Italy, mainly in the youth teams of the Serie A clubs. The highest market value of two million euros has striker Eddie Salcedo, who moved in this transfer window from Genoa to Inter Milan. No international in the squad but can show more than three Serie A inserts.
Portugal:
Portugal are the defending champion for the final round to Armenia. In 2018, the Portuguese had their third European title in the U19 area. In the last six European U19 Championships Portugal came five times in the top three. In addition to the 2018 title, there was the Vice European Championship in 2014 and 2017 and third place in 2013 and 2016. Only the European Championship 2015 had missed the Portuguese. The ticket for Armenia relieved Portugal in Group 6 with three clear wins without conceding: 3-0 against Cyprus, 3-0 against Turkey and 4-0 against Scotland.
In particular, the Portuguese remained the final of the European Championship 2018. In the final against Italy, the Iberians were 2-0 in the lead, before a certain Moise Kean, who today already in the first team of Juventus and in the senior team of Italy plays, with a double strike within a few seconds could compensate.
In extra time Portugal took the lead again and again took the equalizer. The 4: 3 in the 109th minute then provided for the decision. As in the last European Championship, the selection is still being coached by Filipe Ramos. Also in the Portuguese, most players in the squad earn their money in junior departments of the major Portuguese clubs.
Most well-known player is Goncalo Cardoso. The center-back of Boavista Porto has a market value of 2.5 million euros and graduated for his club last season 15 Erstligaspiele. In addition, Fabio Vieira was first equipped with a professional contract for the 2019/20 season at FC Porto. Striker Umaro Embalo is not in the squad due to injury. He will be replaced by Tiago Gouveia of Benfica.
Italy U19 vs Portugal U19 head to head matches
10.09.18 FI Italy U19 Portugal U19 3 : 1
29.07.18 EUR Italy U19 Portugal U19 3 : 4 (2 : 2)
19.07.18 EUR Portugal U19 Italy U19 2 : 3
06.10.16 FI Portugal U19 Italy U19 1 : 2
17.07.16 EUR Italy U19 Portugal U19 1 : 1