After the convincing draw with Germany last Thursday in Berlin, the first victory in the Elite League has come for the Under 20 National team. In Tabor, the Czech Republic, Alberto Bollini's boys beat the hosts 1-0 thanks to a goal scored by Lorenzo Amatucci (Fiorentina) 18 minutes into the second half. An excellent start for the Azzurrini in a tournament that will continue in October with the match against Poland. The Coach stated: "It was a different game to the ones we are used to playing. Not one of dominance, but of maturity. We suffered a bit in the first half, but the fact that the team managed to win a match of its kind means that we are dealing with a very mature group."

Bollini changed 10 of the starting 11 after the match in Berlin: the only constant was goalkeeper Lorenzo Palmisani after Davide Mastrantonio (unavailable) returned to Italy and was replaced by Nicola Bagnolini. After a first half with the dangerous Czech Republic with Masek and Jambor, Italy increased its intensity, with Bozzolan, Volpato and Paganocreating chances. Four changes at the start of the second half, with Barbieri, Hasa, Regonesi and Koleosho replacing Comuzzo, Roman, Pisilli and Volpato. Amatucci scored the goal in the 63rd minute with a shot from outside the box. Italy were able to resist the onslaught of the home team at the end of the game, who came close to equalizing with Spacil: Palmisani was key to the win.

Bollini continued: "I must congratulate the Czech Republic for their performance and for their football. To improve, we completely changed the starting line-up: there is no Italy 1 and Italy 2. It was not the usual aggressive Italy, also thanks to the opposition’s physicality: some of them play in the Czech first division and already have seven league matches behind them, this has had a bit of an impact but I think that when you are on the pitch with the National team you must give your all for 90 minutes. In the second half, we changed the set-up from 4-3-3 to 3-4-3 and the team had more tactical balance, showing character and succeeding with a couple of crosses from Barbieri and Koleosho's foray into the area, creating the right opportunities to close out the match."

 

ELITE LEAGUE 2023-24

Thursday 7 September

Germany vs. Italy 1-1

Romania vs. Czech Republic 2-0

Friday 8 September

Poland vs. Portugal 4-0

 

Monday 11 September

Poland vs. Germany 1-1

Czech Republic vs. Italy 0-1

Tuesday 12 September

Portugal vs. Romania

Table (games played between brackets): Poland (2) and Italy (2) 4, Romania (1) 3, Germany (2) 2, England (0), Norway (0), Portugal (1) and Czech Republic (2) 0

 

ITALY’S CALENDAR

Friday 13 October: Italy vs. Poland

Thursday 16 November: England vs. Italy

Tuesday 21 November: Italy vs. Portugal

Thursday 21 March 2024: Romania vs. Italy

Monday 25 March 2024: Italy vs. Norway