The friendly match between the Under-17 National Teams of Italy and France ends in a 2-2 draw at Coverciano. After the French victory in Tuesday's game, this morning - in the second of the two consecutive matches scheduled at the Federal Technical Center - Favo's boys did well to overturn the initial lead of the visitors. In the end, five minutes from the ninetieth, the definitive draw, in what was the last friendly before the next official commitments for the Azzurrini: on March 20, the second phase of qualification for the European Championships will start in Finland, with a group of four teams - including the hosts, Belgium, and the Netherlands - that will grant passage to the final phase, scheduled to start on May 20 in Cyprus.

"It was - commented Azzurrini coach Massimiliano Favo after the match - a great, intense game, which we also deserved to win. I am happy with all the tests we have done. These are always delicate matches; they are a very physical team, but we held up well. I am really satisfied: even when you don't get the full result, these are matches that make us feel strong."

The Match: Compared to Tuesday's match, both coaches gave playing time from the start to the players who initially started on the bench in the first game. The change in players seemed to favor France, which had the upper hand in the first part of the match. At the half-hour mark, the visiting team took the lead through Kante, who took advantage of a defensive lapse by the Azzurrini and then beat Nunziante.

 

After conceding the goal, Italy began to pick up momentum, showing a smoother play and continuously threatening Akabou's goal. In the second half, at the 12th minute, Monaco resolved a scramble following a set-piece, while at the 32nd minute, the Italian comeback was completed by Mosconi: the Inter forward skillfully redirected a corner kick taken by Liberali, sending the ball on a wicked trajectory into the net at the far post, eluding the opposing goalkeeper.

In the end, Bakola restored parity and sealed the final draw with a beautiful right-footed shot from just inside the area.

Italy 2-2 France                                                      ITALY: Nunziante, Cappelletti, Colombo, Sala, Nardin, Garofalo, Bellino, Atzeni, Maiorana, Ciardi, Monaco.    Unused subs: Longoni, De Sant'Ana, Cama, Mantini, Maffessoli, Natali, Coletta, Di Nunzio, Camarda, Liberali, Mosconi. Coach: Favo

FRANCE: Akabou, Bienck, Gadou, Cabral, Kante, Kouakou, Chauvin, Sylla, Akabou, Detourbet, Said, Aissat.        Unused subs: Stawiecki, Thebault, Sissoko, Sternal, Gadegbeku, Meite, Sellami, Camara, Bakola, Salhi. Coach: Alcocer

REFEREE: Ammannati from Florence. Assistants: Artini and Cardini. Fourth Official: Bertelli                                GOALS: 30' Kante, 57' Monaco, 77' Mosconi, 85' Bakola                                                                                    EXTRA TIME - Stoppage time: 45+1', 90+5'