The Under-19 National Team began their journey with a victory, defeating Slovenia 2-0 in Manzano and kicking off the season for Italy's youth national teams in the best possible way.

The team led by Alberto Bollini, after hitting the woodwork twice in the first forty-five minutes of play, took the lead in the second half. Inter forward Mattia Mosconi, born in 2007 and one of the five Under-17 European champions called up ahead of his age, scored with a diving header just one minute after coming onto the pitch (61'). With four minutes remaining, Atalanta midfielder Lorenzo Riccio, having hit the post with a curling shot from the edge of the area (75'), beat Slovenian goalkeeper Lan Jovanović on the right side after a fine solo run, sealing the victory.

"We’re in the early stages of the season,” says the Azzurri coach, who has returned to lead the Under-19 team after winning the European Championship in Malta in 2023 and a stint with the Under-20 team. “This applies to both the senior teams and the Primavera squads. At this point, when the players aren't yet fully match-fit, the National Team brings a lot of enthusiasm. Today, we had an excellent approach both in terms of competitiveness and tactics, and we demonstrated a strong sense of pride in wearing the Azzurri shirt. Our attacking threat, three shots off the woodwork and two goals speaks for itself".

The Azzurrini will return to action on Thursday, 8 August (11:00 CEST) at the City Stadium in Ajdovščina to face their Slovenian counterparts once again. “Our goal,” emphasises Bollini, “is to give all the available players a chance to play. In the next match, those who had less game time today will get more minutes.”