The Under 21s march on towards Euro 2023 with another victory. After wins over Luxembourg and Montenegro, the Italy youngsters conquered another three precious points away in Bosnia, reaffirming their path of growth. The result (2-1) could have been larger but, led by a super-Tonali, a genuine beacon of this team, the Azzurrini built plenty of chances but wasted an equal amount. Thus, it was a game with two halves, with a lot of action in the first half, a little less in the second half, but certainly the lasting impression of the team is that it is one that knows how to fight and knows the most important skill of the game, scoring goals.

With a maximum haul of nine points, Italy go second in the standings, only behind Sweden who have played one game more. Next Tuesday in Monza there will be a direct clash with the Swedes.

MATCH REPORT – With Carnesecchi absent due to injury, Nicolato entrusted the Azzurrini goalkeeping duties to debutant Stefano Turati and, deploying a 4-3-3 formation, he lined up Bellanova, Lovato, Okoli and Calafiori in defence, behind a midfield of Tonali, Salvatore Esposito, and Ricci, with Colombo lining up in attack beside the Pisa striker Lucca, and another debutant, Vignato.

Compared to the two games against Montenegro and Luxembourg, played in September and won both, the difficulty certainly rose against a compact Bosnia team with excellently physical players, and above all who know how to close spaces well. Although Nicolato has recently been working with a whole new group - only five veterans remain from the previous two years - the Under 21s proved they know him as if they had always played together. The Azzurrini today in fact confirmed their qualities shown in previous matches: great in terms of ball possession and personality.

In the 19th minute, the Cremonese defender Kaleb Okoli broke the deadlock, smashing home a header after a perfect assist from captain Sandro Tonali from the corner flag. Two minutes later, Italy came close to doubling the lead: Colombo's long ball found Lucca, who stretched but failed to reach the ball. There was only one team on the pitch, playing head-on and concentrated, as Nicolato had asked for on the eve.

Thus came the goal to make it 2-0 in the 27th minute, again from a dead ball situation: Tonali again took the corner, this time finding the Bologna striker Emanuel Vignato who arrived in the box at the perfect time to mark his debut with a great goal. By charging forward, Italy took risks and left themselves open at the back: Turati was beaten, but Lovato saved it on the line with an open goal.

In the second half, Nicolato made an immediate change, recalling Esposito who was on a yellow card, sending on Rovella in his place. Strengthened by the advantage gained in the first 45 minutes, Italy allowed themselves the luxury of lowering the tempo, while never losing sight of the final goal. So much so that in the 53rd minute Bellanova, set up as usual by Tonali, tried to score at the near post, but his attempt was saved and pushed wide.

68 minutes in, Calafiori made way for Udogie, as did Lucca for Piccoli. The latter was involved straight away as he almost made it 3-0 but for Cetkovic to deny him the joy of a goal. It seemed to be all set for Italy, but Serbia reopened the game in the 79th minute with an unstoppable shot from Barisic that went in off of the crossbar. Now it was time for the boys to grit their teeth, and by suffering, they managed to get over the line: Turati's flying save in the final minutes to deny a long-range effort from Dedic was decisive, but in the end the Italians brought home a precious result that goes well beyond 2-1.

“I’m satisfied with the performance”, explained Nicolato at the end of the game. “However, I expect more malice and more determination. We could and should have closed the game first, but unfortunately, these matches get complicated when you have so many chances and you waste them, then your opponents score with their first shot on goal. These matches here teach us that there is still work to be done and where we need to do so”.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Semuel Pizzignacco (Vicenza), Alessandro Russo (Alessandria), Stefano Turati (Reggina);

Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Cagliari), Riccardo Calafiori (Roma), Andrea Cambiaso (Genoa), Simone Canestrelli (Crotone), Andrea Carboni (Cagliari), Gabriele Ferrarini (Perugia), Matteo Lovato (Atalanta), Kaleb Okoli (Cremonese), Lorenzo Pirola (Monza), Iyenoma Destiny Udogie (Udinese);

Midfielders: Marco Brescianini (Monza), Salvatore Esposito (Spal), Nicolò Fagioli (Cremonese), Filippo Ranocchia (Vicenza), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Sandro Tonali (Milan);

Forwards: Matteo Cancellieri (Hellas Verona), Lorenzo Colombo (Spal), Sebastiano Esposito (FC Basel), Lorenzo Lucca (Pisa), Samuele Mulattieri (Crotone), Roberto Piccoli (Atalanta), Emanuel Vignato (Bologna).

Schedule (all times CEST) 

Thursday 7 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 Press conference – Head Coach Nicolato (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

17:30 Technical meeting

19:00 Visit to the FF BH Football Training Centre

     

Friday 8 October 2021

09:00 Exclusive RAI interview – Nicolato

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

12:55 Technical meeting

17:30 FF BH Football Training Centre

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA VS. ITALIA 

Post-match press conference to follow (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)                               

Saturday 9 October 2021

11:00 Charter flight Sarajevo – Milan Malpensa and subsequent transfer to Novarello Villaggio Azzurro via Dante Graziosi,1 Granozzo con Monticello

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Sunday 10 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 RAI interview with Nicolato for La Domenica Sportiva

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

20:10 Technical meeting

Monday 11 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 Press conference – Head Coach Nicolato (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

16:00 Departure for hotel in Monza area

19:00 Visit to Stadio Brianteo in Monza

 

Tuesday 12 October 2021

09:30 Exclusive RAI interview – Nicolato

10:30 Muscle workout

12:40 Technical meeting

17:30 Stadio Brianteo

ITALY VS. SWEDEN

Post-match press conference to follow (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom) and subsequent return to respective clubs