One last warm-up before selecting the list of twenty-six players who will go to Germany. On the Enzo Bearzot pitch in Coverciano, the senior national team triumphed 3-1 over the Under 20 team. As previously announced in recent days, Spalletti gave playing time to those who did not start yesterday in the match against Turkey in Bologna.

The starting lineups. In front of Provedel, the coach played Gatti, Buongiorno, and Calafiori, with Darmian and Bellanova on the wings and Frattesi, Fagioli, and Folorounsho in midfield. Up front, Raspadori and Scamacca. In this 35-minute per-half match, Bollini's lineup was initially enhanced by the presence of Ricci as the playmaker in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and El Shaarawy wide on the left behind the lone striker Bonfanti.

On 15', a quick exchange between Raspadori and Folorounsho opened up the Under 20 defence, but the well-angled shot from the Napoli forward was sharply saved by Palmisani. Bollini's team didn't shy away from pushing into the opponent's half, with Pafundi skillfully navigating through the defence with his usual grace. As the minutes ticked over, the Under 20 players settled into the match. A good opportunity arises for the Azzurrini on 28' when El Shaarawy cut inside and fired a tricky low shot from the edge of the box, which Provedel did well to turn away for a corner. Three minutes later, Ricci's solo effort in the penalty area forced Fagioli to commit a foul. El Shaarawy stepped and struck his penalty well, but in this sort of Roman derby, the Lazio goalkeeper came out the winner,  stretching to his right to save the attempt from the spot.

In the stands of the Enzo Bearzot pitch in Coverciano, thirty children undergoing treatment at the Meyer Pediatric Hospital watched and thoroughly enjoyed the all-Italian match. A special pennant was given to Alessandro Benedetti, the Secretary-General of the Meyer Foundation. Earlier, during lunch, Barella's and Pellegrini's jerseys were presented to AIRC.

At half-time Ricci and El Shaarawy switched to the Azzurri side, replacing Fagioli and Gatti, while on the other side, Sekulov and Gatti came on for the two outgoing players. Spalletti's team started the second half with more conviction, immediately hitting the post with Bellanova's header from El Shaarawy's cross, and doubling the lead on 38' when a back-heel from Scamacca released Frattesi in the box, who then unselfishly assists Raspadori to make it 2-0. However, in the 43', the newly-entered Sekulov reopened the contest with a precise finish with the outside of his foot. Ten minutes later, El Shaarawy restored the Azzurri's double advantage, finishing off a beautiful and precise exchange in a tight space.

At the final whistle, the customary photo is taken with all the participants together on the grass of Coverciano, accompanied by applause from the attending crowd.

 

NAZIONALE A 3-1 NAZIONALE UNDER 20

NAZIONALE A (first half): Provedel, Gatti, Buongiorno, Calafiori, Bellanova, Frattesi, Fagioli, Folorounsho, Darmian, Scamacca, Raspadori.
(Second half) Provedel, Bellanova, Calafiori, Buongiorno, Darmian, Ricci, Frattesi, Folorounsho, El Shaarawy, Scamacca, Raspadori. Coach: Spalletti

NAZIONALE UNDER 20 (first half): Palmisani, Missori, Regonesi, Dellavalle, Marcandalli, Ricci, Terracciano, Ignacchiti, Bonfanti, Pafundi, El Shaarawy. 
(Second half) Palmisani, Missori (55' Corazza), Regonesi (55' Angori), Dellavalle (55' Francesconi), Marcandalli (55' Cassano), Gatti, Sekulov, Terracciano (55' Mendicino), Ignacchiti (55' Russo), Bonfanti (55' D’Uffizi), Pafundi (55' Leoni). Coach: Bollini

Referee: Lorenzi di Pistoia. Assistants: Rama e Di Spigno. Fourth official: Casale

Goals: 4’ Scamacca (A), 38' Raspadori (A), 43' Sekulov (U20), 54' El Shaarawy (A)

NB: 28’  Provedel saved a penalty from El Shaarawy (U20)