Mission accomplished. The 0-0 draw away to Romania allowed the Under-20 National team to win the Elite League for the third time in a row. Alberto Bollini's squad finished the competition unbeaten, with four victories and two draws, starting in Germany and concluding in Targoviste: the final Elite League match of the season for the Under-20s, given Norway's withdrawal from the scheduled match in Italy on Monday, 25 March, after their game against Germany was also not played.

"The lads deserve this victory," Bollini said. "Ending this tournament with four victories and two draws, with four away games, is a tremendous achievement. And today's draw came against Romania that had won its two home matches. In the first half, we could have performed a bit better against a nevertheless compact team; in the second half, however, we were more effective with our passing. We switched to a three-man defence to take advantage of the wide areas and high references, creating several chances to win. This is the victory of a team that included players from the Primavera, Serie C, Serie B, and Serie A: a group that has gelled in a way that was not to be taken for granted, which has understood the significance of the azure jersey and has shown growth in play, attitude, and results, in a journey that does not end today."

THE MATCH. Following a minute's silence in memory of Joe Barone (with the Azzurri staff also embracing Bollini, who recently lost his mother), Italy lined up with D'Andrea, Raimondo, and Cherubini upfront, narrowly avoiding conceding a goal only with a volley from Filip after 2 minutes, with the ball going out by a metre to the left of Palmisani. Italy's first chance came at the quarter-hour mark: a cross from the left by Cherubini and a central header by Raimondo. The Ternana forward was more dangerous at the 35’: after winning a physical duel with Rimovecz, Raimondo shot at the near post, finding a response from Popa. On the following corner, Riccio's shot was blocked by David. Towards the end of the first half, Bollini was forced to substitute D'Andrea - minor knee issue - with Distefano.

Four more changes at the start of the second half: Missori, Giovane, Marcandalli, and Faticanti came on for Barbieri, Angori, Ignacchiti, and Terracciano, with Bollini switching to a three-man defence. Italy began to accelerate and, at the 55’, had the best chance of the match: Raimondo's left-footed shot hit the crossbar squarely, with Cherubini shooting high on the rebound. The Ternana forward was dangerous again, this time with a right-footed shot from a Faticanti assist: ball over the bar. Completing the trio of goal opportunities, a header from a cross by Giovane and a fine reflex save by Popa. In the final stages, Cassano, Regonesi, Pisilli, and Abiuso also came on, but it was Distefano, a previously substituted player, who threatened with a right-footed shot headed away by a Romanian defender. And at the final whistle, a collective embrace on the pitch for a point that secured the Elite League victory.

ROMANIA 0-0 ITALY

Romania: Popa; Strata, Dutu, Rimovecz, Suteu; Filip (from 92' Gergely), Szilagyi; Bordusanu (from 60' Sfait), David (from 73' Ciuciulete), Bodisteanu (from 72' Cojocaru); Blanuta (from 60' Trica). Unused subs: Borbei, Lefter, Pirvilescu, Pop, Andrei, Salceanu, Renta, Radu. Coach: Curelea

Italy: Palmisani (from 88' Vismara); Barbieri (from 46' Giovane), Riccio, Bonfanti (from 80' Regonesi), Angori (from 46' Missori); Terracciano (from 46' Marcandalli), Amatucci (from 80' Pisilli), Ignacchiti (from 46' Faticanti); D'Andrea (from 38' Distefano), Raimondo (from 88' Abiuso), Cherubini (from 73' Cassano). Coach: Bollini

Referee: Andrei (Romania). Assistants: Bojan-Ilinca (Romania). Fourth official: Buzarnescu (Romania)

Notes: Yellow cards Ignacchiti (I), Riccio (I)

ELITE LEAGUE 2023-24

Thursday, 21 March

Portugal 2-2 Czech Republic

Romania 0-0 ITALY

Friday, 22 March

17:45 CET: Poland-England

Tuesday, 26 March

15:00 CET: Czech Republic-England

18:00 CET: Romania-Poland

Standings (matches played in brackets): ITALY (6) 14, Germany (6) 11, Portugal (7) 10, Poland (4) and Romania (6) 7, Norway (3) 6, England (4) 3, Czech Republic (6) 1

Matches already played

Thursday, 7 September

Germany 1-1 ITALY

Romania 2-0 Czech Republic

Friday, 8 September

Poland 4-0 Portugal

Monday, 11 September

Poland 1-1 Germany

Czech Republic 0-1 ITALY

Tuesday, 12 September

Portugal 2-1 Romania

Thursday, 12 October

Romania 2-0 England

Norway 2-1 Czech Republic

Friday, 13 October

Portugal 1-2 Germany

ITALY 1-0 Poland

Monday, 16 October

Norway 5-0 Romania

Tuesday, 17 October

Germany 4-2 Czech Republic

England 1-2 Portugal

Thursday, 16 November

England 0-3 ITALY 0-3

Friday, 17 November

Portugal 2-1 Norway

Romania 0-1 Germany

Czech Republic 0-1 Poland

Monday, 20 November

Germany 2-3 England

Tuesday, 21 November

ITALY 2-1 Portugal