The National Under-16 side put on a fine performance at the Juliana Sportpark in 's-Gravenzande, fighting back to win 2-1 against the Netherlands. Daniele Zoratto's Azzurrini, after going behind early on (6') to Melih Junuzov's goal (Utrecht), found the equaliser seven minutes later (13') courtesy of Thomas Campaniello (Empoli), before Christian Comotto (AC Milan) tucked away a penalty (53') after a foul on Kevin Vitale Moressa (Inter).

"It was a hard-fought game," underlined the Head Coach, "with lots of chances for both sides. After all, when you face an opponent such as the Netherlands, it is what you'd expect. They, along with England and Spain, who we have already played (England twice in August: a 3-1 win and a 1-1 draw, and Spain in September: a 2-1 defeat and a 3-2 victory), are in the top five in the rankings."

Italy are immediately back in action against the Oranje on Friday 6 October (19:00 CEST), again at the Juliana Sportpark in 's-Gravenzande: "We will make changes and rotate the squad, at least from the start," Zoratto pointed out, "eith the aim of giving everyone the chance to grow."

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Raffaele Huli (Juventus), Alessandro Longoni (Milan);

Defenders: Leonardo Noah Bovio (Inter), Lorenzo Calvani (Lazio), Thomas Lissi (Inter), Mattia Marello (Udinese), Andrea Natali (Barcelona), Jayden Armstrong Ngwashi Chinjie (Manchester United), Luca Reggiani (Sassuolo), Samuele Tavanti (Empoli);

Midfielders: Nicolò Ballabio (Monza), Oliver Blini (Empoli), Christian Comotto (Milan), Pietro La Torre (Inter), Simone Lontani (Milan), Matteo Maglione (Parma), Kevin Vitale Moressa (Inter), Vincenzo Prisco (Napoli);

Forwards: Danilo Busiello (Empoli), Thomas Campaniello (Empoli), Cristian Carrara (Inter), Andrea Luongo (Torino)*.

*replaced Samuele Inácio (Atalanta).

Staff - Head Coach: Daniele Zoratto; Assistant Coach: Davide Cei; Fitness coach: Luca Coppari; Goalkeeping coach: Fabrizio Capodici; Match analyst: Luca Dalmasso; Doctors: Giuseppe Bastone and Valerio Andreozzi; Nutritionist: Dennis Dell'Unto; Physiotherapist: Luca De Marchi; Secretary: Fabio Ferappi.