In Telki, Italy repeated their success of three days ago against Hungary (2-1) by winning a second friendly 1-0, thanks to a great team goal finished off by Juventus forward Gabriele Finocchiaro. The starting line-ups, as is often the case, were much changed from the first game, allowing opportunities to more players, but the match turned out to be a compelling battle between two sides playing on the front foot. Corradi's lads were more incisive in the attacking third and created several chances to score more, eventually finding the lead only at the end of the first half. But it was enough for the young Azzurrini, who dominated proceedings after the break, to claim victory and their seventh game without defeat this season (six wins and a draw with Switzerland).

The game. It was Hungary who were more forward-thinking in the opening 20 minutes, but the Azzurrini defence managed any pressure comfortably; lining up in goal was Plaia, with a back four of Magni, Sadotti, De Sole and Riccio.After 20 minutes, Bonamoni's strong drive forward finished with Riccio being played in, whose curling shot into the far corner was saved by Lehoczki. After 28 minutes, there was a mix-up in the Hungary defence after the goalkeeper messed up a backpass from Nemeth by sending the ball against the post, that was then cleared away by a defender. Getting more involved in the game were Magni and Ravaglioli, with the first having his shot blocked on the line by Hornyak, after a corner from Ravaglioli on the half-hour mark; then, three minutes later, it was the Bologna striker again, set up by Rao, whose shot from inside the area was kept out by the Hungarian shotstopper. But it wasn't long before the Azzurrini went ahead after a great move: from the back, De Sole played a long ball out wide for Riccio on the right, who then played in Magni, whose slightly deflected cross, off Kun, fell to the feet of Finocchiaro who fired home to give Italy the lead. The first half ended there, with the break seeing a ring of changes for both sides: six for Corradi and three for the Hungarians. Shortly after the restart, Bonanomi, and then Hungary's Bagi, threatened first before Italy took control and looked to extend their lead, especially after the introduction of Mannini on the left side, whose surging forward runs caused havoc in the Hungarian defence. But the game didn't deliver any further goals and the visiting side came out victors for the second time in the space of a few days.

Corradi was extremely satisfied at the end of the game: “It's gone really well, with two great games being played competitively by both sides. It was an excellent test against a good Hungary side, who set out to look for the win from the off. But the lads played really well and maintained a high level of performance throughout the two games. It's a really positive sign from the lads coming from the Torneo dei Gironi, who immediately settled into the team thanks to a really good atmosphere within the group," concluded the Azzurrini Head Coach.

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Tommaso Martinelli (Fiorentina), Francesco Plaia (Spezia);

Defenders: Matteo Cocchi (Inter), Vittorio Magni (Milan), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus), Gabriel Ramaj (Atalanta), Edoardo Sadotti (Fiorentina), Fabio De Sole (Torino), Alessandro Ventre (Juventus), Francesco Verde (Juventus), Roberto D’Intino (Parma);

Midfielders: Francesco Crapisto (Juventus), Andrea Bonanomi (Atalanta), Lorenzo Carfora (Benevento), Gabriele Finocchiaro (Juventus), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Leonardo Mendicino (Atalanta), Lorenzo Riccio (Atalanta), Marco Romano (Genoa);

Forwards: Federico Ragnoli Galli (Atalanta), Mattia Liberali (Milan), Emanuele Rao (SPAL), Tommaso Ravaglioli (Bologna), Filippo Scotti (Milan).

Staff - Head Coach: Bernardo Corradi; National Youth Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Assistant Head Coach: Massimiliano Favo; Goalkeeping Coach: Davide Quironi; Fitness Coach: Adalberto Zamuner; Match Analyst: Andrea Loiacono; Doctor: Alessio Rossato; Nutritionist: Claudio Pecorella; Physiotherapist: Enrico Matera; Secretary: Massimo Petracchini.