Four wins in a row for the Under-20 National Team. Carmine Nunziata’s side recorded a narrow 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Sassuolo after an intense match against an organised side. The Czechs drew 2-2 with Germany in their last fixture and proved to be tough opponents, playing at a high tempo and in an aggressive fashion with their pressing game. Nunziata, who took charge in September, has now led his team to four consecutive wins, three in the Elite League plus the 3-0 friendly success against Switzerland at the end of September. 

Today, the Azzurrini didn’t hold back and took a 15th-minute lead through Ambrosino, who headed home Fazzini’s corner. Italy struggled somewhat at the start of the second half as Jurasek eventually equalised in the 66th minute, but a goal from debutant Cassano, who had been picked out by his Roma Primavera teammate Satriano, secured the win late on.

Head Coach Nunziata was satisfied after the game: “It was a great match where both teams showed plenty of intensity. We were excellent in the first half before becoming a bit stretched in the first 20 minutes of the second period. However, in the closing stages we showed the desire to win, leading to a few chances and the winning goal.”

Italy’s next Elite League fixture will be on 23 March 2023, when they’ll face Norway on the road, after which they’ll take on Germany at home on 27 March. These will be their final two fixtures before the World Cup in Indonesia in May.

Italy 2-1 Czech Republic

Goalscorers: 15' Ambrosino, 66' Jurasek, 88' Cassano

ITALY (4-3-1-2): Zacchi (46' Sassi); Zanotti (18' Turicchia), Ghilardi, Fontanarosa (75' Fiumanò), Pieragnolo (46' Giovane [C]); Terracciano, Degli Innocenti (46' Faticanti), Ndour; Fazzini (C) (67' Cassano); Montevago (46' De Nipoti), Ambrosino Di Bruttopilo (46' Satriano). Subs: Palomba, Mulazzi, Desplanches (GK), Vergara, Nasti, Fabbian. Head Coach: Nunziata

CZECH REPUBLIC (4-2-3-1): Mastny; Slavicek, Halinsky, Vecerka, Kozeluh; Kristan (C), Subert (80' Uhlir); Jurasek (72' Sigut), Alijagic (61' Novak), Cernak (61' Sip); Svoboda (72' Kramar).
Subs: Hornicek (GK), Kurka, Matys, Stransky. Head Coach: Krecek. 

Referee: Andrea Colombo; Assistants: Davide Moro and Dario Garzelli; Fourth Official: Daniele Perenzoni.

Booked: 23' Ghilardi, 56' Koželuh

Elite League: fixtures and results

7 June 2022: ITALY 0-1 Poland
23 September 2022: Portugal 1-2 ITALY
17 November 2022: Romania 1-2 ITALY
21 Novemver 2022: ITALY 2-1 Czech Republic
23 March 2023: Norway vs. ITALY
27 March 2023: ITALY vs. Germany