The Under 21's aimed to finish the 'Tournoi Maurice Revello' on a high note. Mission accomplished. In the third-place playoff in Salon, the Azzurrini defeated the hosts France 1-0. The decisive goal came at 89', in an even match that seemed headed for penalties, scored by Leonardo Cerri with an assist from Volpato.

"Despite the heat and the level of the opponent, it was a high-intensity game where we played good football," analyzed coach Carmine Nunziata. "We could have won, just as they could have. In the end, we managed to come out on top. Thus concludes a two-week tournament, with Italy taking the field five times and experimenting with many solutions.

THE GAME Nunziata reverted to a three-defender formation. Up front, Tongya and Hasa supported Raimondo (Fontanarosa and Esposito had left the training camp after the match against Indonesia). Italy started well but suffered an ankle injury to Pisilli, who was replaced by Zuccon. France relied on two players who had played in Italy last season (Tchaouna for Salernitana, Bonny for Parma).Mikelbrencis had a shot deflected for a corner. On 27', Italy came close to scoring with Turicchia's left foot effort. His strike caused the ball to bounce in front of Patouillet, who managed to deflect it for a corner. Towards the end of the first half, Tchaouna's free-kick was easily controlled by Zacchi, followed by another set-piece from Hasa that Patouillet punched away. In stoppage time, Bianco's shot was saved by the French goalkeeper.

In the second half, Nunziata made his first changes, substituting Bianco and Hasa on 64', with Tongya dropping back into midfield, and bringing on Fini and Volpato. Tchaouna continued to be France's most dangerous player, but Zacchi blocked his left-footed shot on 73'. With 7 minutes left, Italy made a triple substitution, Bonfanti, Pieragnolo, and Cerri came on for Turicchia, Veroli, and Raimondo. It was Cerri who sealed the victory on 89', assisted from the right by Volpato, with France reduced to 10 men following Mikelbrencis' red card. The Azzurrini secured the bronze medal and gained many positive signs for the future.

ITALY 1-0 FRANCE (0-0 first half)
ITALY (3-4-2-1): Zacchi; Bertola, Ghilardi, Dalle Mura; Turicchia (83' Bonfanti), Bianco (19' Fini), Pisilli (70' Zuccon), Veroli (83' Pieragnolo); Tongya, Hasa (64'Volpato); Raimondo (73' Cerri). Unused Subs: Rinaldi, Sassi, Zanotti, Faticanti. Coach Nunziata

FRANCE (4-3-3): Patouillet; Mikelbrencis, Zoukrou, Traore, Ouattara (77' Koudou); De Amorim (77' Camara), Atta, Michut (87' Keita); Tchaouna (72' Joujou), Abline, Bonny (87' Kalumba). Unused Subs: Mabon, Lienard. Coach. Chauvin

Goalscorer: 89' Cerri

Referee: Le (Vietnam). Assistants: Xie (China), Donjangreed (Thailand). Fourth Official: Bernatskaia (Kirghizistan)

NB: Red card Mikelbrencis (F) 93' for two yellow cards. Bookings Bertola (I), De Amorim (F), Tchaouna (F), Zuccon (I), Michut (F), Abline (F), Camara (F)

TOURNOI MAURICE REVELLO
Gruppo A: Saudi Arabia, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Mexico, South Korea
Gruppo B: Ukraine, Indonesia, Itay, Japan, Panama

GROUP B CALENDAR
Matchday 1 - Tuesday 4 June (Vitrolles)
ITALY 4-3 Japan
Indonesia 0-3 Ukraine
No game for Panama

Matchday 2 - Thursday 6 June (Aubagne)
Ukraine 4-0 ITALY 
Indonesia 0-4 Panama
No game for Japan

Matchday 3 - Saturday 8 June (Fos)
Japan 4-1 Indonesia
Ukraine 2-0 Panama
No game for ITALY

Matchday 4 - Monday 10 June (Aubagne)
14:30 CEST - Ukraine 2-1 Japan
18:15 CEST - ITALY 2-2 Panama (4-1 on penalties)
No game for Indonesia