After nine months, with a win over the Republic of Ireland that sealed qualification to the European Championships,  the Under-21 side has finally got back to winning ways. In Backa Topola, the Azzurrini overcame a stubborn Serbia side 2-0 lthanks to a brace from Frosinone forward, Samuele Mulattieri. Paolo Nicolato's side dominated from the first to the last whistle, and it was perfect preparation for the Euros this summer, and the next game against ukraine on Monday (20:00 CEST) at stadio Oreste Granillo in Reggio Calabria, which will be shown live www.figc.it and on the National side's social media channels (click HERE for ticket information).

"We had the chance to see some different lads at work today, and everyone played really well, considering that it's the first time many of them have played together," said Coach Nicolato. "They all applied themselves really well; whoever came in slotted in with ease, and that's great credit to the lads and the work of the Federation's backroom staff. It looked like they'd been playing together for some time. Mulattieri? He has that knack off always finding the net: when he's in the box, there's always a feeling around that something will happen." A feeling shared by the forward: "I'm really happy to have scored a kind of scrappy goal, I'm always alive and ready when in the box. It's a really good moment for me, and I'm happy with these two goals, as I am for how I'm playing this season. All eyes now on the next friendly. There's no better feeling than scoring for the National team. I want to dedicate this to my family, who have always supported me." 

THE MATCH - There were three debuts for the Azzurrini: Bruno Zapelli and Niccolò Pierozzi, in a five-man midfield,  and Tommaso Baldanzi, who turned 20 yesterday, lining up alongside Mulattieri. And it was the Empoli forward who created the best opening chances: after a left-footed shot got deflected within three minutes of the game starting, the number 23 tried his luck with his other foot. Meanwhile, after 10 minutes Filip Stankovic (son of Dejan, current Sampdoria Head Coach) made an impressive block to stop Italy taking the lead. The contest between Baldanzi and Stankovic continued, but again it was the Inter goalkeeper, on loan at Dutch side Volendam (and teammate of fellow Azzurrini, Oristanio) who kept out the effort. The half ended goalless with Italy's intensity dropping a little, despite having had 65% ball possession. 

After the break, Nicolato substituted two midfielders, with Zanoli and Parisi being replaced by Pierozzi and Gallo. And inside eight minutes of the restart, a deserved lead came for the visitors: Esposito's corner took a deflection off Zanoli and Mulattieri found himself free at the back post to head home for his second goal for the Under 21s, after the one against Romania in November 2021. Italy soon came close to adding a second when Carboni's header came back off the crossbar, from Esposito's free-kick. But they weren't to wait long when Zanoli's low cross was flicked on by Oristanio - not long after coming on for Zapelli - and Mulattieri was cool once again to stick it past Stankovic after 67 minutes. Italy kept up the pressure and camped in the Serbian half, going to close 3-0 when Esposito's free-kick sailed just wide and Parisi's shot was well-blocked by Stankovic. At the opposite end, there was no danger for Caprile, who left the field of play for Sorrentino to make his debut for the Under-21s.

SERBIA 0-2 ITALY
SCORERS: Mulattieri 53' and 67'
SERBIA: F. Stankovic; Rogan, Drezgic, Duric, Micic (42' Ergelas); N. Stankovic (62' Knezevic), Petkovic (68' Durasovic), Miladinovic (46' Vasilijevic); Mitrovic, Ratkov (90' Hrstic), Lucic (62' Mituljikic). Unused subs: Ilic, Gutesa, Prijovic, Lazic, Krstic, Bazdar. Head Coach: Stevanovic
ITALY: Caprile (86' Sorrentino); Carboni, Viti, Ruggeri; Pierozzi (46' Zanoli), Zapelli (59' Oristanio), Esposito, Casadei, Gallo (46' Parisi); Baldanzi (78' Colombo), Mulattieri. Unused subs: Turati, Bellanova, Pirola, Lovato, Ricci, Cancellieri, Udogie, Fabbian, Okoli, Bove, Fagioli. Head Coach: Nicolato
REFEREE: Minakovic (Serbia). (Zivin, Pavlovic; IV Radakovic)
BOOKINGS: Miladinovic (S)