Four goals and lots of action. On the eve of the game, Carmine Nunziata asked his lads to put in a big performance and the U21s delivered. In the end, the test against France finished 2-2 but with many good takeaways to consider from the first of two November friendlies. The next will be on Tuesday at 18:15 CET against Ukraine in La Spezia. At the Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli, Italy were two up through goals from Cesare Casadei and Giuseppe Ambrosino but were chased down by France in the second half.

Nunziata: “The result is regretful but I have to say that it was an open game. For long periods, we were in charge. But France has skills and technique and we knew that we would have to struggle at certain points. I have to compliment the lads: keeping the ball for long stretched like we did in this game gives us a lot to be confident about in future. I asked for consistency: we always try to improve but this is a great group, motivated to do well”.

MATCH REPORT. Nunziata started Volpato and Gnonto behind Ambrosino. We were an attacking Italy who had Desplanches to thank in the opening minutes for a hige save on Cherki, France’s most talented player. In the 16th minute, however, Italy broke the deadlock through Casadei who did well to fire home past Restes on the back-heel assist from Ambrosino following good work down the left from Ndour. Ten minutes later, Lazio player Tchaouna had the chance to make it level but work from both Desplanches and Kayode tipped the ball over the bar. At the end of the first 45, Italy doubled the lead through Ambrosino: the action started down the left with Volpato who selflessly assisted the Frosinone forward for his first goal in the U21s.

In the second half, Nunziata swapped out Desplanches for Zacchi in goal. At the other end, Restes was called into action on a shot from Volpato straight away. It was all Italy at the start of the half with Gnonto going close twice, shooting just high before picking up a ball from Casadei on the right but his shot was saved by an alert, and lucky, Restes. France began to threaten and in the 58th minute, Cherki pulled one back for the visitors, assisted by Sildillia. Having entered the pitch (alongside one of our Serie A players, Parma forward, Bonny), Atangana picked up the assist from Cherki and managed to bag the equaliser. The game was alive and kicking with chances at either end: Fabbian, another substitute, couldn’t quite get his shot away, having picked up a good ball into the centre from Ruggeri. Finally, both Zacchi and Restes were hard at work to keep the result level.

ITALY 2-2 FRANCE

ITALY (4-3-2-1): Desplanches (46' Zacchi); Kayode, Pirola (73' Bertola), Coppola, Ruggeri; Casadei (73' Miretti), Prati, Ndour; Volpato (65' Fabbian), Gnonto; Ambrosino (65' Esposito). Subs: Sassi, Zanotti, Ghilardi, Baldanzi, Palestra, Turicchia, Pafundi, Guarino, Bonfanti. Coach: Nunziata

FRANCE (3-4-1-2): Restes; Youte Kinkoué (84' Zeze), Magassa, Matsima; Sildillia (62' Kumbedi), Agoumé (85' Doukoure), Bouaddi (62' Atangana), Mawissa (70' Ouattara); Cherki (85' Tel); Kalimuendo (62' Doue), Tchaouna (62' Bonny). Subs: Nkambadio, Risser, Diouf. Coach: Baticle

Goalscorers: 16' Casadei (I), 44' Ambrosino (I), 58' Cherki (F), 65' Atangana (F)

Referee: Vergetis (Greece). Assistants: Fotopoulos and Ruxbaum (Greece). Fourth official: Prontera (Italia)