There can be no shortage of motivation when Italy take on France, especially in a match dedicated to a girl who died in tragic circumstances like Valeria Solesin. There was commitment, character and a great showing from the city’s public on an emotional night in Venice.
All that was missing was an Italy goal. Grassi struck the post, at least four good opportunities went begging, and the Azzurrini undeservedly fell behind at the end of the first half meaning that the Under 21s ended an otherwise superlative campaign with a 1-0 defeat. It left a bitter taste in the mouth, above all for Italy coach Di Biagio who was hoping to celebrate his birthday with a win. “It was a proper game of football”, he said, “because we came up against a good team and we learned a lot. It was an excellent first half with lots of chances; we seemed certain to go in on level terms but instead we found ourselves 1-0 down. The defeat hurts; you know I don’t like losing even though I’m pleased that the lads did everything I asked of them. In any case, these are matches that help us get better but above all it was important to remember Valeria and be close to her friends and family.”
In a touching ceremony before the game, Venezia Football Club, in collaboration with the FIGC and the Comune di Venezia, named a section of the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo after Valeria Solesin – the young Venetian who was killed in the Paris attacks on the 13th November 2015. Valeria’s mother performed the symbolic task of laying down the plaque in front of the stand alongside FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio; Under 21s’ head of delegation Giancarlo Antonioni; mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro; Venezia FC president Joe Tacopina and Venezia FC sporting director Giorgio Perinetti. A long round of applause from a crowd of more than 4,500 spectators accompanied the moving tribute to Valeria before the start of this prestigious, season-ending friendly for the Italy Under 21s.
With debutant Gollini in goal, Di Biagio selected a back four of Conti, Caldara, Ferrari and Calabria behind a midfield three of Grassi in the middle and Pellegrini and Cataldi on either side. Captain Berardi led the attack alongside Celli and Ricci. The Azzurrini started quickly and created two chances in the space of 60 seconds after 10 minutes with Grassi and then Cerri working the French ‘keeper.
Di Biagio’s side continued to create and Grassi struck the post on the half-hour mark but the men in blue couldn’t turn the pressure into goals. Sure enough, after wasting four golden opportunities, Italy found themselves behind deep into first half stoppage time (45+2). Cornet was the man to find the net with a touch of good fortune as his strike was helped in by a couple of deflections.
The Azzurrini looked to absorb the shock of going behind in the changing rooms at the interval and returned to the pitch determined to take back control of the game. After 56 minutes, Di Biagio made three changes: Rosseti for Ricci, Mazzitelli for Grassi and Garritano for Berardi who gave the captain’s armband to Cataldi.
Reinforcements were needed and Di Biagio made another three substitutions at the 70-minute mark. Capezzi earned his first cap as he replaced Cataldi, and Masina and Monachello came on for Conti and Cerri. The Azzurrini got little out of a very professional French outfit, however, although they were a whisker away from equalising right at the end.
