Category Archives: Italy Under 21 Team

Italy beat England but it’s not enough. Di Biagio: “I’m proud of this team”

Italy Under 21 Team

Heart, determination, Belotti’s opener and Benassi’s brace were not enough. Italy beat England 3-1, but the 1-1 draw between Portugal and Sweden condemned the Azzurrini to elimination from the European U21 Championship. It was a bittersweet victory, with the opportunity to qualify for Rio de Janeiro Olympics also vanishing. Italy’s best performance under Di Biagio saw them stun the Three Lions, but it was Portugal and Sweden who made the semi-finals, with the Scandinavians finding the equaliser with just a few minutes left. The Azzurrini bow out of the European Championship with their heads held high.

Italy once again adopted a 4-3-3 formation with Belotti and Trotta up front alongside Berardi. The Azzurrini’s great determination made the difference in the game and they had two chances through Belotti and Berardi in the first ten minutes. It was then English striker Kane who had a good opportunity, but his effort went wide. The Tottenham striker offered more danger ten minutes later, but this time Bardi saved well. Italy took the lead in the 25th minute through Belotti, who beat Butland with a volley from inside the box. The Azzurrini doubled their lead just two minutes later, this time through Benassi.

Italy kept dictating the play in the second half and made their first change in the 63rd minute, with Sabelli replacing Berardi. England had a few chances, but their forwards were not clinical enough. The Azzurrini, on the other hand, were demonstrating their prowess in front of goal and scored again in the 72nd minute, with Benassi’s netting his second of the day, this time through a header.

Italy made other two changes, with Verdi and Viviani coming on for Totta and Zappacosta respectively. The Azzurrini then received the welcome news of Portugal’s lead against Sweden, but in the final stages of the match, the Scandinavians levelled up the game, while England also scored a consolation goal to make it 3-1.

This final score sends home both England and Italy. “It’s very tough to stomach,” commented Benassi. “That’s how it goes. We did all we could. The draw between Portugal and Sweden? I don’t want to think maliciously; I would hope that things like that don’t happen during a European Championship. The draw is simply how the game played out.”

A very disappointed head coach Di Biagio commented: “It’s tough to go out like this; we’re disappointed. I cannot blame my players for anything. Not getting points in the first match proved key. I’m proud of my team. I began coaching this group of players two years ago – most of the players did not play at their respective clubs and many of them are now ready for the senior team. Missing out on qualification for the Olympics is tough to swallow for me, the players, the fans and the Federation, but I’m still convinced that we played the best football of the teams in our group.”

Cataldi: “We are hanging on by a thread, it won’t be easy but we are ready”. Over 4 million TV viewers for Italy vs. Portugal

Italy Under 21 Team

The Azzurrini have trained once today, with those who played yesterday to receive massages and specific treatment in the swimming pool. Italy will conduct their final training session before the England game tomorrow night at 19:30 CEST at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc. Group B: Results, schedule and table 18th June ITALY 1-2 Sweden
18th June England 0-1 Portugal
21st June ITALY 0-0 Portugal
21st June Sweden 0-1 England
24th June ITALY vs. England
24tg June Portugal vs. Sweden
Table: Portugal 4 points, England and Sweden 3, ITALY 1 Squad numbers: Goalkeepers: 1 Bardi (Chievo Verona), 20 Leali (Cesena), 14 Sportiello (Atalanta);
Defenders: 12 Barba (Empoli), 13 Bianchetti (Spezia), 3 Biraghi (Chievo Verona), 17 Izzo (Genoa), 6 Romagnoli (Sampdoria), 5 Rugani (Empoli), 2 Sabelli (Bari), 22 Zappacosta (Atalanta);
Midfielders: 16 Baselli (Atalanta), 18 Battocchio (Virtus Entella), 15 Benassi (Torino), 21 Cataldi (Lazio), 4 Crisetig (Cagliari), 8 Sturaro (Juventus), 7 Viviani (Latina);
Forwards: 9 Belotti (Palermo), 10 Berardi (Sassuolo), 11 Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), 19 Trotta (Avellino), 23 Verdi (Empoli).
 
Italy’s schedule
Monday, 22nd June
11:00 CEST  Training session at the C.S. Holice, in Olomouc
13:15 CEST  Press conference at the “S-port Veska” Hotel in Olomouc (players)
 
Tuesday, 23rd June
18:45 CEST  Press conference at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
19:30 CEST  Light workout session at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc before kick-off (MD-1).
 
Wednesday, 24th June
20:45 CEST ENGLAND vs. ITALY, “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
Press conference to follow ]]>

Under-21 European Championships – Di Biagio: “The game against Portugal will be decisive, we will get to the end”

Italy Under 21 Team

 
Di Biagio invited his squad to set aside what happened against Sweden, although that defeat and the three-game ban for Sturaro after his red card, will make Italy’s task more difficult: “We will evaluate what is the best thing to do. The main thing now is to concentrate on tomorrow’s game against Portugal. It’s a pity we didn’t score the second goal when Sweden were down to ten men, but it’s no point thinking about it now.”
 
Antonio Conte will watch the game live from the stands tomorrow night, meaning extra motivation for the Azzurrini. Berardi is sure about it: “We are all very motivated and his presence will help us too. We can’t miss this chance and we won’t. After losing to Sweden we are over a barrel, but we are all determined to remain here until the end of the tournament. I believe in our quality, although I know that Portugal are a very good team, which play good football. We will have to work hard and get back on track: we are wearing Italy’s shirt and we are representing our country, I am very proud of it and it’s a dream come true”. Group B: results, schedule and table 18th June ITALY 1-2 Sweden
18th June England 0-1 Portugal
21st June ITALY vs. Portugal
21st June Sweden vs. England
24th June ITALY vs. England
24tg June Portugal vs. Sweden
Table: Sweden and Portugal 3 points, England and ITALY 0 Squad numbers: Goalkeepers: 1 Bardi (Chievo Verona), 20 Leali (Cesena), 14 Sportiello (Atalanta);
Defenders: 12 Barba (Empoli), 13 Bianchetti (Spezia), 3 Biraghi (Chievo Verona), 17 Izzo (Genoa), 6 Romagnoli (Sampdoria), 5 Rugani (Empoli), 2 Sabelli (Bari), 22 Zappacosta (Atalanta);
Midfielders: 16 Baselli (Atalanta), 18 Battocchio (Virtus Entella), 15 Benassi (Torino), 21 Cataldi (Lazio), 4 Crisetig (Cagliari), 8 Sturaro (Juventus), 7 Viviani (Latina);
Forwards: 9 Belotti (Palermo), 10 Berardi (Sassuolo), 11 Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), 19 Trotta (Avellino), 23 Verdi (Empoli). Italy’s schedule Sunday, 21st June
20:45 CEST  ITALY vs. PORTUGAL, “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste
Press conference to follow Monday, 22nd June
11:00 CEST  Training session at the C.S. Holice, in Olomouc
13:15 CEST  Press conference at the “S-port Veska” Hotel in Olomouc (players) Tuesday, 23rd June
18:45 CEST  Press conference at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
19:30 CEST  Light workout session at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc before kick-off (MD-1). Wednesday, 24th June
20:45 CEST ENGLAND vs. ITALY, “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
Press conference to follow ]]>