Thanks to a 67th-minute goal from Empoli midfielder Duccio Degli Innocenti, the Under-19 National Team ran out 1-0 winners in the first game of their double-header with Hungary. At the Szusza Ferenc Stadium in Újpest, the Azzurrini controlled proceedings, even if there weren’t any real chances in the first half. After the restart, Italy played in a more lively and decisive fashion, forcing the hosts to defend until the very end.  

After Degli Innocenti’s goal, Italy came close to doubling their advantage in the 90th minute when Groningen midfielder Luciano Valente hit the post with the goal at his mercy.

The U19s, who progressed to the second phase of European qualifying with three wins from three in October, will be back in action on Monday 15 November, when they’ll once again face the Hungarians (this time in Telki).

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Sebastiano Desplanches (Milan), Jacopo Sassi (Atalanta), Gioele Zacchi (Sassuolo);

Defenders: Diego Coppola (Hellas Verona), Filippo Fiumano’ (Juventus), Alessandro Fontanarosa (Inter), Daniele Ghilardi (Fiorentina), *Gabriele Mulazzi (Juventus), Thomas Sandon (Vicenza), Riccardo Turicchia (Juventus), Mattia Zanotti (Inter);

*forced to withdraw, Davide Gentile called up in his place (Fiorentina)

Midfielders: Tommaso Baldanzi (Empoli), Cesare Casadei (Inter), Duccio Degli Innocenti (Empoli), Giovanni Fabbian (Inter), Giacomo Faticanti (Roma), Jacopo Fazzini (Empoli), Fabio Miretti (Juventus), Luciano Valente (Groningen);

Forwards: Giuseppe Ambrosino *(Napoli), Degnand Wilfred Gnonto (Zurigo), Tommaso Mancini (Vicenza), Stephane Henoc N’gbesso (Spezia), Samuele Vignato (Monza).

*forced to withdraw, Destiny Egharevba (Fiorentina)  called up in his place

Staff: Head Coach: Carmine Nunziata; Delegation Head: Gianfranco Serioli; Assistant Coach: Emanuele Filippini; Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone; Goalkeeping Coach: Fabrizio Ferron; Match Analyst: Marco Mannucci; Doctors: Lorenzo Ticca and Raffaele Iorio; Physiotherapists: Giuseppe Galli and Riccardo Torquati; Nutritionist: Alessio Colli; Secretary: Aldo Blessich; Tutor: Stefano Presciutti