Ten continental trophies altogether, five each. The ‘enemies’ Italy and Spain also had to share the result in tonight’s cold match at Maribor. The second match of the Euros group stage, contested by two old rivals, finished 0-0. They fought and fought for 90 minutes, sparing not a drop of energy and looking for that decisive goal until the last minute. But there were also two sending offs for Italy, with Scamacca and Rovella both receiving red cards, as well as one for Spain who lost Mingueza – all three were sent off in the 42^nd minute.

A hard-fought, balanced game, with the draw consolidating Spain’s lead at top of the table with four points, followed by the Azzurrini with two points along with the Czech Republic, who drew 1-1 against Slovenia this afternoon. And Italy will face off against none other than Slovenia next Tuesday, yet again at Maribor, in a battle to qualify for the quarter-finals as Spain face off against the Czech Republic in the other group match.

The Italy side that played at Maribor this evening was far from its full strength. With Tonali, Marchizza and Gabbia banned due to decisions from the UEFA Disciplinary Commission, Nicolato was forced to ‘invent’ a new defence and re-assess other issues with regards to the game against Spain. And so Carnesecchi was assisted by the trio of Lovato, Del Prato and Ranieri in defence, with Bellanova and Frabotta chosen on the wing ahead of Zappa and Sala, and Frattesi, Rovella and Pobega playing behind the duo of Scamacca (the goal scorer who got Italy a temporary lead against the Czech Republic) and Cutrone.

On the eve of the match, Nicolato asked for an “Italy side with no fear” and he got exactly that: the U21 side that went out onto the pitch were attentive and compact, ready to close down the opponent and make solid counter-attacking moves. And if at the beginning, facing the Spaniard’s well-organised, long phases of possession and their excellent passing, Nicolato’s lads found it difficult to speed up play and attack in-depth, once they took action they played excellently.

It was a very balanced first half, but also a very tactical one. Between the 20^th and 22^nd minute, there was a slight back and forth between the two national teams: first Miranda had a dig with a shot from outside the box that went over the bar, followed by Pobega who shot from an angle and just missed the target.

Spain looked frightening going forward, but they suffered just as much when Italy countered. And Italy, making the most out of a slip-up from the opposition, created the best chance of the first half in the 30^th minute with a great attempt from long-range on the part of Frattesi which Fernandez only just prevented, with the help of the crossbar.

The second half opened with the Azzurrini still dominating. In the 53^rd minute, Frabotta came from deep and played a dangerous ball into the middle, but no one got on the end of it. Then in the 58th and 64th minute Spain had their say with a shot from Garcia on his right denied by Carnesecchi, followed by a shot from Moncayola which finished just wide.

70 minutes in, Nicolato made the first change of the game with Raspadori replacing Cutrone. The game got spicy in the 87^th minute when the German referee Osmers gave a red card to both Scamacca (who was already on a warning) and Mingueza, and immediately after to Rovella as well for complaining. Italy were down to nine men, Spain to ten. The Azzurrini suffered, but persevered. Thanks above all to Cernesecchi, who saved the day in the 90^th minute with a double save.

Paolo Niccolato breathed a sigh of relief: “I am pleased with the way the lads responded,” the coach emphasised at the end of the game, “but I had no doubts. We are still in it, this was an important game and we approached it with the right attitude. I liked the will of the team, the way they attacked and their will to overcome themselves, to face off against strong opponents. The sending offs? They seemed harsh to me.”

 

Calendar, results and standings for Group B

Matchday One (24 March)

Czech Republic vs ITALY, 1-1

Slovenia vs Spain, 0-3

Matchday Two (27 March)

Slovenia vs the Czech Republic, 1-1

ITALY vs Spain, 0-0

The table as it stands: Spain four points, ITALY and Czech Republic two, Slovenia zero

Matchday Three (30 March)

21:00 CEST: Spain vs Czech Republic

21:00 CEST: ITALY vs Slovenia

Schedule

(all times are CEST unless otherwise indicated)

Sunday 28 March

10:45– Video analysis followed by training (closed to the press)

14:00 – Press conference at the Grand Hotel Primus

16:00 – Technical training

Monday 29 March

11:00 – Training at Sportni Park Nk Aluminij - Kidricevo, Slovenia (first 15 minutes open to the press)

14:00 – Press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + 1 player)

16:00 – Technical training

19:00 – Walk around Maribor Stadium

Tuesday 30 March

19:00 – Technical training before departure for Maribor Stadium

21:00 – ITALY vs SLOVENIA followed by a press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + 2 players) and return to hotel

Wednesday 31 March

Flight departs from Maribor to Malpensa followed by Malpensa to Fiumicino