A show of strength from the U19s, who, after drawing 2-2 with England in their opener, beat Germany 2-1 at the Podravina Stadium in Ludbreg in their second match at the international friendly tournament taking place in Croatia. The Azzurrini took a second-minute lead through midfielder Leonardo Mendicino (currently on loan at Cesena from Atalanta) before being reduced to ten men in the 17th minute after Renato Bellucci Marin’s red card. The Germans equalised on the 48-minute mark through Wolfsburg midfielder Bence Dárdai, but Alberto Bollini’s lads responded through AC Milan striker Diego Sia, whose 72nd-minute finish proved to be the winner.

“It’s a prestigious win against a strong side who are difficult to face with eleven players on the pitch, let alone ten for 75 minutes,” said the Azzurrini Head Coach. “After the sending off of our goalkeeper, the lads kept their composure, producing a fantastic performance defensively. Winning against this Germany side, which in large part consists of players who won the European Championship and Under-17 World Cup in 2023, has a special feel about it.”

Italy will play their final match of the tournament on Tuesday 10 September at the Nedelišće Stadium in Čakovec, where they’ll take on hosts Croatia: “The objective for these tournaments is to allow all the lads to grow and improve, giving them the right amount of playing time.”

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Renato Bellucci Marin (Roma), Tommaso Martinelli (Fiorentina);
Defenders: Adam Bakoune (Milan), Niccolò Fortini (Fiorentina), Vittorio Magni (Milan), Federico Nardin (Roma), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus), Matteo Giuseppe Plaia (Perugia), Filippo Reale (Roma)*, Lorenzo Tosto (Empoli);
Midfielders: Mattia Liberali (Milan), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Leonardo Mendicino (Atalanta), Lorenzo Riccio (Atalanta), Marco Romano (Genoa), Emanuele Sala (Milan);
Forwards: Maat Daniel Caprini (Fiorentina), Alphadjo Cisse (Hellas Verona)**, Jeff Ekhator Osayuki (Genoa), Seydou Fini (Excelsior Rotterdam), Mattia Mosconi (Inter), Diego Sia (Milan).

*called up on 1 September to replace the unavailable Francesco Camarda (Milan).
**called up on 2 September to replace the unavailable Gabriel Ramaj (Atalanta).

Staff – Head Coach: Alberto Bollini; Assistant Coach: Matteo Barella; Goalkeeping Coach: Francesco Antonioli; Fitness Coach: Nicolò Varesco; Match Analyst: Luca Dalmasso; Doctors: Francesco Maria Nifosì and Gianluca Ciolli; Nutritionist: Alessio Colli; Physiotherapists: Giuseppe Galli and Simone Siciliano; Secretary: Aldo Blessich.

Under-19 international friendly tournament

Teams: Croatia, Germany, England and ITALY

Matchday 1 (Wednesday 4 September)
England 2-2 Italy

Matchday 2 (Saturday 7 September)
ITALY 2-1 Germany
Croatia 1-1 England

Table: ITALY 4 points, England 2, Croatia 1 and Germany 0.

Matchday 3 (Tuesday 10 September)
11:00 CEST – Croatia vs. ITALY, Nedelišće Stadium in Čakovec
16:30 CEST – Germany vs. England, Koprivnica Stadium in Koprivnica