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Mission complete. Massimiliano Favo’s Under-17s, and reigning European champions, came back to win 2-1 against Belgium at the Niko Dovana stadium in Durrës, finishing Group B in first place. It was a victory that showed our character, and continued our great run of form, after already securing our semi-final spot after our tactical masterclass against England three days ago (Italy 4-2 England, 23 May).

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Italy conceded the opener in the 12th minute, scored by Genk midfielder August Jan De Wannemacker. We then turned the game around after the break thanks to Borussia Dortmund's Samuele Inácio’s brace (subbed on in the 57th minute for Roma’s Valerio Maccaroni), first scoring in the 62nd minute before then converting a penalty in the 78th minute (won by Stade de Reims defender Jean Tryfose Mambuku).

The Azzurrini manager stated, “We really wanted to finish on maximum points as these boys completely deserve it. We try to play pro-active and aesthetically pleasing football because I think that if you play good football, sooner or later you’ll get the results. Often us Italians are accused of playing defensively, and this is what opponents speculate. Last year, with our attacking play, we didn’t only manage to win, but we got a lot of praise from our opponents”.

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Speaking of last year in Cyprus, the Azzurrini won 3-0 in the final against Portugal, who we will now face again in the semis on Thursday 29 May (20:30 CEST, live on RaiSport and UEFA TV) at the Arena Kombëtare in Tirana. Favo added, “After ending a difficult group stage on nine points, we know that we can face anyone. Portugal have great footballing history, as well as many fantastically talented players. I imagine that they will be determined to get revenge in this game seeing as we got the better of them in the final last year”. 

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There was an important guest in the stands in Durrës. This guest was Tirana’s Italian Ambassador, Marco Alberti, who was in attendance of the boys’ great performance, alongside the Under-17s head of delegation, Filippo Corti. It is a clear symbol of the youth sector’s importance to FIGC’s work

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Belgium 1-2 Italy

Belgium (4-3-3): Brughmans ©; De Kimpe, Jonkers, Gielen, Darcon; De Wannemacker (79' Fernandez), De Cat, Da Silva (46' Amengai); Camara (68' Wamu Oyatambwe), Naert (75' Mitongo), Bisiwu (75' Murenzi).
Subs.: Henrion (P), Capilla Rivera, Wins, Alvarez Fernandez.
Coach: Bob Browaeys.

Italy (4-3-1-2): Maran; Iddrisa, Bovio, Pavesi, Giani (75' Mambuku); Steffanoni, Prisco ©, Comotto © (57' Luongo); Maccaroni (57' Inácio); Zanaga (57' Arena), Campaniello (75' Elimoghale).
Subs.: Nava (P), Borasio, Baralla, De Paoli.
Coach: Massimiliano Favo.

Referee: Patrik Kolarić (CRO). Assistants: Luka Pajić (CRO) and Christopher Rae (SCO). Fourth Official: Kamal Umudlu (AZE).

Goals: 12' De Wannemacker (BEL), 62' Inácio (ITA), 78' rig. Inácio (ITA).

Notes: bookings: Comotto (ITA) 24', Pavesi (ITA) 39', Jonkers (BEL) 88'. Added time: 1', 4'.

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: 12. Andrea Maran (Modena), 1. Sebastiano Nava (Juventus);
Defenders: 6. Benit Borasio (Juventus), 5. Leonardo Noah Bovio (Inter), 15. Cristiano De Paoli (Udinese), 3. Laurence Adam Giani (Stoke City), 2. Dauda Amihere Iddrisa (West Bromwich Albion), 13. Jean Tryfose Mambuku (Stade de Reims), 16. Davide Pavesi (Cremonese);
Midfielders: 14. Alessio Baralla (Empoli), 8. Christian Comotto (Milan), 11. Andrea Luongo (Torino), 17. Valerio Maccaroni (Roma), 4. Vincenzo Prisco (Napoli), 18. Federico Steffanoni (Atalanta);
Forwards: 19. Antonio Arena (Pescara), 9. Thomas Campaniello (Empoli), 7. Destiny Onoguekhan Elimoghale (Juventus), 10. Samuele Inácio (Borussia Dortmund), 20. Edoardo Zanaga (Empoli).