Incredible character: the Under-17 National came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with an excellent Spain side in Los Barrios. After Daniel Yañez (Real Madrid) had opened the scoring for the Spaniards in the third minute, Villarreal’s Oyono (17’ and 30’) added another two. Massimiliano Favo’s team then managed to pull one back through Mosconi before half-time (38’). After the restart, Italy carried on attacking and made it 3-2 with a long-range strike from Atzeni (64’). Two minutes later, the comeback was complete: a Camarda penalty was saved by Simón García (Athletic Club), but Sala converted on the rebound to level matters. In the closing stages, Real Madrid’s Reyes, the son of the late José Antonio, hit the post, while, at the other end, Mariutto fired narrowly wide.

“We went 3-0 down, but that wasn’t a reflection of the good things we’d been doing on the pitch,” said Massimiliano Favo. “Spain are an excellent side and combine physicality with quality, but the fact we’ve drawn such a game shows that we have exceptional character. The best thing is the compliments we received from the Spaniards after the game: such a show of esteem is very important, especially for the lads.” Italy will return to the Estadio San Rafael pitch to face their Spanish counterparts at 10:30 CET on Thursday 25 January: “In the next match, we’ll give playing time to those who didn’t come on today. Despite the absences we had, this group is full of quality, as shown by the fact that two substitutes scored today.”

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Alessandro Longoni (Milan), Massimo Pessina (Bologna);
Defenders: Cristian Cama (Roma), Mattia Cappelletti (Milan), Emanuel Benjamín de Sant'ana Balbinot (Real Madrid), Manuel Maffessoli (Atalanta), Federico Nardin (Roma), Andrea Natali (Barcellona), Nirash Raffaello Perera (Milan), Francesco Verde (Juventus);
Midfielders: Davide Atzeni (Fiorentina), Federico Coletta (Roma), Alessandro Di Nunzio (Roma), Matteo Mantini (Inter), Francesco Mariutto (Venezia)**, Emanuele Sala (Milan);
Forwards: Francesco Camarda (Milan), Mattia Liberali (Milan), Stefano Maiorana (Fiorentina), Antonio Stefano Merola (Juventus), Mattia Mosconi (Inter), Simone Negri (Bologna)*.

*called up to replace the unavailable Alex Castiello (Atalanta).
**called up to replace the unavailable Alessandro Olivieri (Empoli).

Staff – National Youth Team Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Head Coach: Massimiliano Favo; Assistant Coach: Matteo Barella; Fitness Coach: Adalberto Zamuner; Goalkeeping Coach: Davide Quironi; Match Analyst: Andrea Loiacono; Doctors: Alessio Rossato and Francesco Maria Nifosì; Physiotherapist: Enrico Matera; Nutritionist: Claudio Pecorella; Secretary: Massimo Petracchini.