A defeat that doesn’t sting too badly, in terms of the table and qualification. Italy were beaten 3-2 by Ukraine in the hard-fought final game of Group A at the Under-19 European Championships. Mikhailenko’s need for a win prevailed as they finished second in the group thanks to the victory and secured a spot in the knockout rounds. The defeat didn’t change much for the Azzurrini who had already secured their place in the semi-finals with a game to go, as well as being assured of a first-place finish. Italy now have three days to best prepare for the next game, their opponent will be decided tomorrow: France is leading Group B with 6 points and will play Spain in second with 4. Türkiye can still hope to place second in the group as they currently sit third on 1 point, ahead of Denmark on 0.

CORRADI. “We played a good first half and conceded the opening goal on the break. During a game, we know that the referee is a variable we cannot influence: if I had to choose a game where everything goes against us, it’s better all at once, hoping that we will be luckier next time” Corradi commented at the end of the game. The Italy Coach continued: “But hiding in potential refereeing errors is reductive. After a good first half, we made it 2-1 and gave away the lead with a mistake. Honestly, we were not able to manage the situation from an emotional point of view, but that’s part of the lads’ growth journey. I would have preferred not to lose, but if we have to do so, better that it’s in a game that doesn’t affect the table”. Three days now before the semi-final against a still-unknown opponent: “Tomorrow, we have to rest, especially mentally. It’s right that our plans give importance to rest, also so we can better analyse our errors. Then, after tomorrow’s games, we will know who we will have to face in the semi-final”.

MATCH REPORT. Corradi shook up the formation by making nine changes to the starting XI, with only Chiarodia and Di Maggio also having started against Northern Ireland. Despite this, Italy didn’t change their philosophy or approach, pressing Ukraine high and having two excellent chances in the first four minutes: the first came from a run by Chiarodia, who pushed into the penalty area and flicked the ball back for Sia who shot just high. The second came from a recovery made by Magni: the AC Milan player found Ebone at the near post whose shot ended up just wide. One minute later it was Ebone again with an individual attempt, going close to making it 1-0. It was Ukraine to surprisingly take the lead: Gusiev went long and Synchuk did well to put it past Magro. The Azzurrini, who started the game off perfectly, then found themselves playing catch up. Ukraine’s opener saw them sit even deeper but Italy threatened immediately with the quality of their possession: Magni-Ebone duo, ball out wide to Sia who Krapyvtsov did well to stop. In the 34th minute, Italy found the equaliser: the free-kick routine was executed to perfection. Di Maggio put in a great ball at the near post and Ebone stretched it past Krapyvtsov for the goal. 1-1. As we headed into the 45th minute, Harder played a splendid ball to Anghelè: but the shot from the Juventus player was stopped by the Ukrainian keeper.

SECOND HALF. Corradi brought Di Maggio off, putting Mannini in the midfield and moving Romano to the left. The advantage arrived from the very same spot after just 6 minutes: Romano played the one-two with Ebone who unleashed a powerful shot that beat Krapyvtsov and made it 2-1. There wasn’t time to celebrate before Ukraine levelled things up with a similar move finished off by Krevsun. It was 2-2 after 8 minutes of the second half in Larne. Norway were beating Northern Ireland 2-0 in Belfast, meaning that Ukraine needed the win to secure a spot in the semi-finals, creating issues for the Azzurrini. Italy made further changes with Pafundi and Lipani on for Anghelè and Harder, while a few minutes earlier Mane had taken Chiarodia's place at the centre of the defence. In the 74th minute, however, Mane misread the trajectory of a pass from deep, and Matkevych pounced, leading to a foul from Corradi in the box: the penalty was given and the Verona centre-back picked up his second yellow card, leaving the pitch prematurely. Ponomarenkc beat Magro from the spot to make it 3-2 with 15 minutes to go. A man down, Italy tried to react but could not find any real chances for the draw, thus registering their first defeat of the tournament.

UKRAINE 3-2 ITALY  

Ukraine: Krapyvtsov, Gusiev, Melnychenko, Yermachkov, Mykhavko, Vashchenko (89’ Obinaya), Synchuk (89’ Tutierov), Krevsun, Hadzhyiev (90’+1 Tsukanov), Matkevych, Ponomarenkc. Subs: Bakus, Drozd, Dihtiar, Oharkov, Shevchenko, Bohdanov. Coach: Mikhailenko

Italy: Magro, Magni, Corradi, Chiarodia (63’ Mane), Pagnucco, Romano, Harder (69’ Lipani), Di Maggio (46’ Mannini), Anghelè (69’ Pafundi), Ebone, Sia (75’ Bartesaghi). Subs: Marin, Camarda, Ciammaglichella, Zeroli. Coach: Corradi

Goals: 7’ Synchuk (U), 34’ Ebone (I), 52’ Romano (I), 54’ Krevsun (U), 75’ Ponomarenkc (U)

Referee: Vassilis Fotias (GRE); Assistenti: Andreas Fotopoulos (GRE), Aleksandar Smiljanić (BIH); Quarto ufficiale: Luka Bilbija (BIH)

Notes: Booked Corradi (I), Vashchenko (U), Ponomarenkc (U), Mykhavko (U), Matkevych (U). Sent off at 74' Corradi (I) after a second yellow card. 654 spectators.

UEFA EURO UNDER-19

Group A: Northern Ireland (hosts), Norway, Italy (holders), Ukraine
Group B: Demark, Türkiye, France, Spain

MATCHDAY 1

Group A, Monday 15 July
Italy 2-1 Norway | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Northern Ireland 0-0 Ukraine | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Tuesday 16 July
Denmark 1-2 Spain | Inver Park, Larne
France 2-1 Türkiye | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

MATCHDAY 2

Group A, Thursday 18 July
Norway 0-0 Ukraine | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Northern Ireland 0-3 Italy | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Friday 19 July
Denmark 2-4 France | Inver Park, Larne
Türkiye 1-1 Spain | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

Table after Matchday 2
Group A: Italy 6, Ukraine 2, Northern Ireland and Norway 1

MATCHDAY 3

Group A, Sunday 21 July
Norway 2-0 Northern Ireland | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Ukraine 3-2 Italy | Inver Park, Larne

Group B, Monday 22 July
Türkiye vs. Denmark, 20:00 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast
Spain vs. France, 20:00 CEST | Inver Park, Larne

WORLD CUP UNDER-20 PLAY OFF

Thursday 25 July
3rd in Group A vs. 3rd in Group B, 17:30 CEST | Seaview Stadium, Belfast

SEMI-FINALS*

Thursday 25 July

S1: Winner of Group A vs. 2nd in Group B
S2: Winner of Group B vs. 2nd in Group A

*The matches will be played at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast at 15:00 and 20:00 CEST. The order of the semi-finals will be decided after the group stage.

FINAL

Sunday 28 July
S1 winner vs. S2 winner, 20:00 CEST | National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast