A convincing performance from the Under-17 National Team, reigning European champions, who kept a 2-0 clean sheet against Portugal on the first day of the Città di Trieste International Tournament. In a rematch of the final from the last European Championships, Massimiliano Favo’s team had a breakthrough in the 58th minute with Samuele Inácio, striker for Borussia Dortmund and son of former Atalanta and Napoli player Piá. Danilo Busiello, second striker for Empoli, secured the win for Italy with a second goal in the 76th minute. 

“We won and we were more dangerous than them,” emphasised Coach Massimiliano Favo, “but, at certain points in the match, we were behind. We have to take possession more because when we do it, we are able to control the game. This is a new group, and we need to keep growing: I need to be able to read their minds, and vice versa”. His final words on the beautiful setting and newly renovated facilities at Nereo Rocco: “Splendid ground. It is an honour for the boys to play on a pitch of this quality.”

MATCH REPORT. The Azzurrini fielded a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Lontani supporting the duo of Campaniello and Inácio up front. The Portuguese responded with a 4-3-3, which saw centre-forward Mide flanked by Duarte Cunha and Rúben Barbosa.

After a rather balanced start, the first opportunity came Portugal’s way 15 minutes in, but Rúben Barbosa’s effort from the right went over the crossbar. A few minutes later they had another chance, this time from Stevan, but the low drive from 25 meters out could not get past an attentive Nava. Italy’s first chance came in the 20th minute when Campaniello was denied by the Portuguese goalkeeper, Romário Cunha, at the near post after breaking through the defence. Favo’s boys continued to push and came very close to a goal just before half-time when Inácio unleashed a precise left-footer which Tioyyo Pagio did well to stop at the far post. 

In the second half, the Azzurrini had an opportunity to take the lead - Inácio took advantage of a bad clearance from the Portuguese defence and had a shot at goal from close range which was somehow deflected by a nearby defender. Bino Maçaes’s boys reacted quickly a minute later and it took a big defensive intervention by Iddrisa on Gambôa’s attempt to keep Favo’s formation intact. Italy grew more confident as the minutes passed and in the 58th minute, took the lead they deserved: Inácio collected Santiago Silva’s poor clearance on Insignito’s cross and in a fine balancing act, slotted the ball past Romário Cunha from inside the box. Riding high on the newly gained momentum, Nava made a big save on Banjaqui’s shot and Busiello found the back of the net, after breaking through the sloppy Portuguese defence. Just before the final whistle, in stoppage time, Oliveira Papccioli unleashed a shot but the attempt was deflected away for a corner.

Italy will next play on Friday 6 September (20:00 CEST, streaming on Vivo Azzurro TV) at the Stadio Comunale Nereo Rocco against Switzerland, who lost 6-1 to Spain at Monfalcone in the afternoon.

Italy 2-0 Portugal
Goalscorers: 58' Inácio, 76' Busiello.

ITALY (4-3-1-2) : Nava; Insignito (60' Cretì), Iddrisa, Bovio, Marello (80' Carlaccini); Tiozzo Pagio (46' Steffanoni), Prisco (71' Acatullo ©), Comotto © (60' Oliveira Papaccioli); Lontani (60' Moressa); Campaniello © (80' Lissi), Inácio (71' Busiello).
Unused subs: Farronato (Pt), Isoa, Damiano.
Coach: Massimiliano Favo.

PORTUGAL(4-3-3) : Romário Cunha; Dbouk (65' Gil Neves), Ricardo Neto, Santiago Silva, José Neto (76' Domingues); Stevan, Gambôa (65' Guedes), Lima © (65' Quintas ©); Duarte Cunha (65' Banjaqui), Mide (76' Anísio), Rúben Barbosa (76' Baptista).
Unused subs: Alex Tverdohlebov (Pt), Chelmik, Abreu, Mauro Fortado.
Coach: Bino Maçaes.

Referee: Andrea Migliorini (ITA).
Assistants: Thomas Storgato (ITA) and Alessia Carraro (ITA).
Fourth official: Michele Maccorin (ITA).

Notes: booked 28' Lontani (I), 39' Santiago Silva (P), 41' Tiozzo Pagio (I). Injury time: 3' and 7'

INTERNATIONAL UNDER-17 CITTÀ DI TRIESTE TOURNAMENT

SINGLE GROUP: ITALY, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland

Matchday 1 (Tuesday 3 September)
Spain 6-1 Switzerland
ITALY 2-0 Portugal

Matchday 2 (Friday 6 September)
17:00 CEST: Portugal vs. Spain, Stadio Comunale in Monfalcone (GO)
20:00 CEST: ITALY vs. Switzerland, Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste (live on Vivo Azzurro TV)

Matchday 3 (Monday 9 September)
16:30 CEST: Switzerland vs. Portugal, Stadio Comunale in Monfalcone (GO)
20:00 CEST: ITALY vs. Spain, Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste (live on Vivo Azzurro TV)