Another victory over Portugal, just like in the European Under-19 Championship final in Malta. Today, with several players who featured in Ta’ Qali out on the pitch, Italy also got the better of their Portuguese counterparts in the Elite League, thus recording their fourth consecutive victory in the competition after wins over the Czech Republic, Poland and England. Following Germany’s home defeat to England on Monday, the Azzurrini once again sit top of the standings, two points ahead of the Germans and with a game in hand.

At the Stadio Enzo Ricci in Sassuolo, goals from Giacomo Faticanti and Nicholas Bonfanti won it for the Azzurrini, with the latter bagging the winner late on after Meireles’ equaliser for the visitors towards the end of the first half. “It’s a deserved victory after ten days where the group has worked really well,” said Head Coach Alberto Bollini. “The team produced another fantastic performance after a superb display against England. We were up against an excellent Portugal side and dug in when we had to. We were also able to raise the tempo and speed up our passing with the aim of scoring by playing our game.”

THE MATCH. With Bollini having made eight changes to the team that started against England (only Giovanni Bonfanti, Terracciano and Hasa retained their places), Italy had the first chance of the game through Raimondo, whose effort was blocked by Fernandes’ legs. Five minutes later, a left-footed effort from Hasa finished narrowly off target. After further attempts from Cherubini (28’) and Hasa (30’), the Azzurrini took the lead after 32 minutes: Faticanti, who captained the U19s to their European Championship triumph, regained possession high up the pitch before letting fly with a shot that was deflected past the goalkeeper. However, Cruz’s side equalised with their first real effort on target as Meireles finished off Justo’s assist.

Diogo Prioste had the first attempt in the second half, shooting narrowly over for a Portugal side who were mainly looking to hit Italy on the counter. The Azzurrini, meanwhile, continued to move the ball around well. Cherubini threatened, while an effort from Pisilli lacked precision. Just when it looked like the game was about to finish in a draw, Italy were awarded a penalty for a handball by Justo. Although Fernandes saved Hasa’s spot-kick, Bonfanti was quick to react to convert the rebound and secure another three points for Italy.

ITALY 2-1 PORTUGAL
GOALS: 32' Faticanti (I), 40' Meireles (P), 86' Bonfanti (I)

ITALIA (4-3-3): Palmisani; Missori (46' Dellavalle), Marcandalli, G. Bonfanti, Regonesi; Pisilli (79' Ignacchiti), Faticanti (60' Amatucci), Hasa; Terracciano, Raimondo (60' N. Bonfanti), Cherubini (79' D'Andrea). Substitutes: Mastrantonio, Milanese, Antori, Fontanarosa, Zuccon, Cassano, Montevago. Head Coach: Bollini

PORTUGAL (4-3-3): Fernandes; Monteiro, Silva, Matos, Marques (76' Ferreira); Justo (90' A. Oliveira), Rocha, Prioste (90' Cruz); Meireles (66' Falé), Chermiti, Moreira. Substitutes: Pinto, Spencer, H. Oliveira. Head Coach: Cruz

REFEREE: Piccinini (Forlì)
ASSISTANTS: Bitonti (Bologna), Arace (Lugo di Romagna)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Monaldi (Macerata)

NOTES:  Justo (P) sent off after full-time for dissent; Terracciano (I), Meireles (P), Missori (I), Chermiti (P), Moreira (P), Falé (P), Silva (P) all booked.

ELITE LEAGUE 2023-24
Monday 20 November
Germany 2-3 England
Tuesday 21 November
ITALY 2-1 Portugal

Standings (number of games played in brackets): ITALY (5) 13, Germany (6) 11, Portugal (6) 9, Poland (4) 7, Norway (3), England (4) and Romania (5) 6, Czech Republic (5) 0

ITALY’S CALENDAR
Thursday 21 March 2024: Romania vs. Italy
Monday 25 March 2024: Italy vs. Norway

Previous results

Thursday 7 September
Germany 1-1 ITALY
Romania 2-0 Czech Republic

Friday 8 September
Poland 4-0 Portugal

Monday 11 September
Poland 1-1 Germany
Czech Republic 0-1 ITALY

Tuesday 12 September
Portugal 2-1 Romania

Thursday 12 October
Romania 2-0 England
Norway 2-1 Czech Republic

Friday 13 October
Portugal 1-2 Germany
ITALY 1-0 Poland

Monday 16 October
Norway 5-0 Romania

Tuesday 17 October
Germany 4-2 Czech Republic
England 1-2 Portugal

Thursday 16 November
England 0-3 ITALY
Friday 17 November
Portugal 2-1 Norway
Romania 0-1 Germany
Czech Republic 0-1 Poland