Albion Under-21s will play their second match at Solihull Moors’ Damson Park stadium against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon (ko 11.30am).
The young Baggies return to league action following defeat in the Premier League Cup during the previous week, but they will also be looking to right the wrongs of their last league loss when they take on City’s youngsters this weekend.
Last time out
It was a narrow 2-1 defeat to Leeds United for Richard Beale’s men in their previous PL2 match.
Despite Dauda Iddrisa’s fine first-half opener, the Whites responded with two goals to seal a comeback win at York City’s LNER Community Stadium.
Venue
The 21s will play their second match of the 2024/25 campaign at National League side Solihull’s Damson Park on Saturday.
Their first match there ended in a 2-2 draw, with Cole Deeming and Souleyman Mandey finding the net that day for Albion’s youngsters.
Pre-match thoughts
It’s safe to say the 2024/25 campaign has been an uplifting, yet, crazy one for promising first-year scholar Dauda Iddrisa.
Like many of his team-mates, the versatile, defensive-minded midfielder will have entered the campaign focused on playing the majority of his matches in the scholarship phase with Leigh Downing’s group.
But after an impressive pre-season in Slovenia with Professional Development Phase boss Beale and his U21 charges, the 16-year-old hasn’t looked back - starting regularly in PL2 games, scoring at the level, and even impressing on the first-team stage under Carlos Corberán.
So much so that the Spaniard handed Iddrisa his senior bow in the Carabao Cup tie at Fleetwood. He would’ve been one of the more surprising inclusions on the field that day compared with his older team-mates in the early stages of the professional fold, but his ability and calmness have certainly justified his involvement since.
Little-known before, the Italian youth international - whom he’s represented this term at U17 level - has lifted expectations and ahead of a stern test against Man City, the Brescia-born midfielder remains unfazed, focused, and determined to impress against quality opposition this weekend.
He said: “It’s been an unexpected, but positive outcome to have been thrown into the 21s early on and had first-team opportunities too.
"It’s been a good start which, I didn’t expect, but am grateful for. Hopefully, I get more in the future and I just want to keep pushing forwards.
“To be able to be involved in that type of atmosphere at Fleetwood, especially at an early age, was such a nice feeling for me and my family.
“I was excited because I missed the Italian U17 camp to be involved in the first team, but I wasn’t sure which game it was for as there was one on Saturday and one on the Tuesday.
“So, I was surprised, so was my family, and we were all proud and even if I hadn’t got any minutes that day, just being around that atmosphere was special. It was a good feeling coming on and it’s only made me hungry for more.
“The different style in the Italian youth team is calm, clean, focused on keeping the ball, and that gets me ready for the way the first team manager wants me to play here.
“I’ve been involved in it already and the international football has prepared me well for those future situations.
“As you go higher, the intensity and players get better. Whether that’s from 16s-18s, 18s-21s, 21s to first team, and it’s really surprised me how quickly things move in terms of abilities the higher you go.
“I was expecting to be in and out of 18s football, because that’s what you do when you sign your scholarship. But ever since going up to the 21s, I’ve been trying to keep on top of everything because I’m two years younger than everyone and I don’t want to let them down.
“I’m high on confidence, but I still want to work harder to be the best version of myself.
“I just want to stay in the 21s for now and train more with the first team as the season goes on. That’s my goal.
“I used to be a centre-back from U14-16s, but this is my first season playing in central midfield. My reaction when I lose the ball is to get it back quickly and I’ve always been a fiery player, always wanting to get after the play and regain control for my team-mates.
“Everyone, including myself, is excited for the Man City game. They’re such a big academy, have so many good players, so, as underdogs, we want to try and dominate the ball like we did in the last game and not let them do their usual stuff.
“The last defeat we had against Swansea has affected preparations for this match, but in a positive way. We will fight and support each other to try and get the three points.
“This is the vehicle to progress me into the professional game and because I have so many years ahead of me, I don’t want to rush anything. I want to smooth things out and learn things along the way to get me to the professional level.”
How to follow
Match tickets will be available for Saturday’s Premier League 2 game versus Man City.
They are priced at £5 adults, and £1 for Under-17s and 65+, while Albion season ticket holders are able to watch the game for free, with supporters able to purchase tickets on the gate outside the Damson Homes Stand. Free parking at the stadium will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Owing to a first team fixture being played on the same day, a live stream will not be provided for the clash.
Fans can read the report and reaction from the match on the club’s website at full-time.
