A beautiful victory from the Italy Under 19s at the Sportski Centar FSS in Stara Pazova, bringing home a 3-1 victory over Serbia following the 5-4 defeat three days ago. After taking the lead in the first half (34’) through Simone Pafundi (Udinese), the Azzurrini quickly doubled their advantage (40’) with another goal from the Azzurro number 10. The hosts reduced the deficit early in the second half (49’) through Jovan Mijatović (Stella Rossa). It was Italian-Guinean forward Alphadjo Cisse (Hellas Verona), born in 2006, who sealed the victory for the Azzurrini, scoring from the spot with a little over a quarter an hour to go (74’) after referee, Darko Jeknić, blew for a foul on Christian Corradi (Hellas Verona) from the corner. 

“The match went well,” explained Bernardo Corradi, “just as the match three days ago went well, except for the result. Working for the youth national teams, the most important thing is the path that the guys take. So sometimes, a negative result with a good performance is better than the other way around. The team responded very well against a tough opponent, which made these matches count for more than just two friendlies.” 

“The best indication I have taken from these two matches,” concluded the Azzurro coach, “was that I could use players that weren’t ready in the past, but are now proving useful, widening the base of this team.” 

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Alessandro Calligaris (Inter), Federico Magro (Lazio);
Defenders: Wisdom Amey (Bologna), Adam Bakoune (Milan), Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Fabio Cristian Chiarodia (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Christian Corradi (Hellas Verona), Filippo Calixte Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Marco Palestra (Atalanta), Filippo Saiani (Spal);
Midfielders: Thomas Berenbruch (Inter), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Lorenzo Menegazzo (Bologna)*, Fabio Parravicini (Spal), Diego Ripani (Juventus);
Attackers: Lorenzo Anghelè (Juventus), Alphadjo Cisse (Hellas Verona), Marco Delle Monache (Sampdoria), Giulio Misitano (Roma), Simone Pafundi (Udinese), Kevin Zeroli (Milan).

*called up in place of the unavailable Luca Di Maggio (Inter). 

Staff – Head Coach: Bernardo Corradi; Assistant Coach: Mirco Gasparetto; National Youth Setup Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Fitness Coach: Marco Montini; Goalkeeping Coach: Graziano Vinti; Match Analyst: Francesco Donzella; Doctors: Paolo Manetti and Sebastiano Porcino; Nutritionist: Micol Purrotti; Physiotherapists: Giuliano Gepponi and Giorgio Giannini; Secretary: Aldo Blessich.