Italy U21s focus only on Bove as EURO draw takes ‘a back seat’

Italy U21 will know their EURO 2025 group-stage opponents on Tuesday, but their coach Carmine Nunziata insisted their only thoughts at the moment are addressed to Edoardo Bove, who is in intensive care after his sudden collapse during Fiorentina vs Inter.

The Azzurrini officially qualified for the 2025 European Under-21 Championship in mid-October following a 1-1 draw against Ireland, and they’ll be in pot two for the draw which will take place in Bratislava, despite finishing top of their qualifying group.

Nunziata: Italy U21 draw takes ‘back seat’ after Bove’s collapse

The tournament will be held in Slovakia in June 2025 and will see Italy face one of the top-seeded teams in their group, which means Spain, England, Portugal and the Netherlands.

“But the draw for the European Championship and football take a back seat,” said coach Nunziata ahead of the draw in a statement published by the FIGC.

“Our thoughts are only with Edoardo Bove and his family. We hope for his speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the field.”

Bove has racked up 14 appearances with Italy U21. the last of which came in September 2024, when he played 90 minutes during a 3-0 win over Norway in an EURO 2025 qualifier.