The 2024 campaign for the Under 16 National Team begins with a splendid victory at the 'Silvio Piola' stadium in Vercelli, as they triumph 4-1 over Belgium in the first of two scheduled friendlies. The Azzurrini take the lead early on (2') with Blini, before the Red Devils equalize midway through the first half (20') with a close-range shot by Naim Amengai (Club Brugge). In the second half, Daniele Zoratto's boys regain the lead once again, thanks to the number 10 in blue (60'), before hitting the post with Acatullo (69') and extending their lead with goals from Campaniello (71') and Papaccioli (80'+4), the latter coming on as a substitute for Pandolfi just minutes before the end.

"We started well," emphasizes Daniele Zoratto, "before experiencing some difficulties in the middle of the first half. In the second half, however, we applied greater pressure on our opponents, resulting in a more aggressive approach: we deserved to win. Furthermore, against a strong opponent like Belgium, we fielded three of the seven 'new' players (Carlaccini, Pandolfi, and Reita, ed.) from the start, a testament to the excellent work done during the Group Tournament."

The Azzurrini will return to the 'Silvio Piola' stadium in Vercelli to face Belgium's counterparts on Thursday, 15 February (11:00 CET).

List of called-up players:

Goalkeepers: Sebastiano Nava (Juventus), Renato Widmer D'Autilia (Bologna);

Defenders: Leonardo Noah Bovio (Inter), Lorenzo Calvani (Lazio), Samuele Carlaccini (Roma), Lorenzo Jeremie Fazio (Genoa), Alessio Insignito (Spezia), Thomas Lissi (Inter), Luca Reggiani (Borussia Dortmund), Samuele Tavanti (Empoli);

Midfielders: Cristian Acatullo (Sassuolo), Benit Borasio (Juventus), Christian Comotto (Milan), Fabio Pandolfi (Milan), Matteo Papaccioli (Como), Francesco Reita (Lazio);

Forwards: Oliver Blini (Empoli), Danilo Busiello (Empoli), Thomas Campaniello (Empoli), Cristian Carrara (Inter), Simone Lontani (Milan), Kevin Vitale Moressa (Inter).

Staff - Coach: Daniele Zoratto; Assistant coach: Davide Cei; Goalkeeper coach: Fabrizio Capodici; Fitness coach: Luca Coppari; Match analyst: Luca Dalmasso; Doctors: Valerio Andreozzi and Giuseppe Bastone; Nutritionist: Dennis Dell'Unto; Physiotherapist: Manolo Ruggiero; Secretary: Luca Gatto.