Lorenzo Pellegrini and Marco Benassi got on the scoresheet as the Italy Under-21 National Team won 2-1 away against Poland in an important friendly, three months ahead of the European Championship in the same country. A large number of withdrawals forced Luigi Di Biagio to pick an experimental side and it paid off as he looks to work out his final 23-man squad.
Despite all the absences, the Azzurrini showed that they have the legs and the brains to go far. The game wasn’t taken lightly despite being a friendly. The Azzurrini were organised in the first half with a solid formation while the new entry Federico Chiesa fitted in seamlessly. It was this new face who tested the goalkeeper from 25 metres after 22 minutes following some interplay with Alberto Cerri.
Domenico Berardi had an effort a minute later with a bicycle kick but his strike was weak and saved by Wrabel. Italy kept pressing. In the 29th minute, Berardi found Chiesa whose header set up Lorenzo Pellegrini who picked out the far post with a left-foot volley and the Azzurrini were ahead. Poland looked to bounce back with their pride wounded and they found the equaliser in the 43rd minute with a Kownacki goal after a Kapustka pass caught out Italy’s defence. Cerri almost restored Italy’s lead in stoppage time but his goal was disallowed for offside.
After the break, Federico Di Francesco came on for the other prodigal son Chiesa. It took just five minutes for Italy to go back in front with a blocked Danilo Cataldi free kick falling to Marco Benassi who took one touch before blasting the ball home from outside the area.
Italy then wrung the changes before there was a chance to extend the lead after 63 minutes as Di Francesco was fouled in the box. However, Cerri unfortunately hit the post from the spot.
The Azzurrini continued to control the match up until the final whistle and Luigi Di Biagio expressed his joy after it. “I’m very satisfied with this team, the guys are incredible,” he said. “Lots of them put themselves on show, they’ve turned up in excellent condition even if some of them haven’t played in a while. These matches are very important for our preparations ahead of the European Championship. It all counts, the result included.”
Source: figc.it