The Azzurrini end 20-year wait for the Under 19 European Championship

Kayode’s goal decides the final in Ta Qali (Malta): Alberto Bollini’s team win Italy’s second U19 trophy.

Sunday, July 16, 2023

The Azzurrini end 20-year wait for the Under 19 European Championship — L'esultanza degli Azzurrini sul palco di Ta Qali: Campioni d'Europa Under 19

From Ciccio Lodi to Giacomo Faticanti, the captains who lifted the trophy to the sky; from Paolo Berrettini to Alberto Bollini, the coaches who guided the Azzurrini to a historic success; from Vaduz (Liechtenstein) to Ta Qali (Malta); from 26 July 2003 to 16 July 2023: After 20 years and three losses in finals (2008, 2016, 2018), Italy are the champions of the Under-19 European championships, their second title at that level.

The Azzurrini dominated long stretches of the game against Portugal, the obvious favourites before the game, having handed Italy the 5-1 defeat in the second match (however it remained 1-1 until the Italy red card, Portugal then scored four against ten men). Kayode’s goal in the 18th minute was the decisive blow, but the Azzurrini dominated for the first 45 minutes. As well as the goal in Italy’s favour and the numerous chances they had to extend the lead, but a clear superiority in the choices of pass, the dictating of the tempo, the defensive reading, the forward runs and the players’ drives.

President of the federation, Gabriele Gravina immediately congratulated the Azzurri team in Malta, saying: ‘A historic success! The boys were extraordinary, as were the boss, Bollini and all the staff. They created an exceptional group, capable of leaving their mark on a difficult tournament, winning against much better-ranked opponents on paper. Now, it is the responsibility of Italian football to not squander the great work done by Club Italia and the talent of the Azzurrini. This European triumph is the best response to those who prefer resorting to defeatism and hysterics after one defeat, without knowing the extent of the work that we are doing with the national youth teams.’

The Azzurrini are Champions of the Under 19 Euros, after only managing second place in the Under 20 World Cup (Faticanti, Pisilli, Lipani and Esposito featured there as well). The future of Italian football could be bright, if only our home clubs would offer these guys more chances. They deserve it, never so much as now. And it’s only fair to give credit to Club Italia, which has been cultivating youth talents for years, that Mancini can then debut in the National Team: for four years, they earned qualification to the Under 17 and 19 final phases, and this year also the final phases for the U21 and U20s, the only Federation to have earned these two streaks of results. This was achieved by the organisation of Club Italia, by the technical staff, by the Azzurrini, by the men behind the scenes always at the group’s disposition, and by the work of the Youth Coordinator Maurizio Viscidi.

THE MATCH. Bollini deployed the 4-3-3, like against Spain, with the addition of Ndour, after his suspension that kept him out of the semifinal, in Pisilli’s place, shifting Hasa to the right of midfield. Bollini maintains Kayode’s position as a winger ( a full-back who has adapted to this system during the tournament). The same formation (4-3-3) for the Portuguese: Milheiro chose the same 11 as he had for the knockout rounds. In the stands were approximately one thousand Italian supporters.

Italy faced the match, just as the coach, Bollini, asked the night before, as a final and not as a rematch to the 5-1 defeat suffered just a week ago in the second match of the groups. Within the first ten minutes, the Azzurrini gained both ground and confidence: In the eighth minute, Missouri floated an early ball from the right wing, Esposito snuck in behind his marker and Goncalo Ribeiro, the goalkeeper, mistimed his attempted interception. The Azzurro centre-forward couldn’t redirect the ball into the empty net, however. 3 minutes later and Ndour tried to surprise the Portuguese keeper, firing from outside the box but it flashed just over.

Third time lucky, though, as we saw in the 18th minute: A one-two between Regonesi and Hasa just outside the area and the Azzurro winger hung up an inviting cross. Kayode charged into the area, overpowering Portuguese defender Gabriel Bras, and heading home for 1-0.

The reaction of the Portuguese only yielded one chance: Missori got caught in two minds about a ball over the top so Mastrantonio was forced to come out, diving at the feet of Rodrigo Ribeiro (no penalty given) and getting up to kick the loose ball out of danger.

The Italian dominance continued to half-time, producing everything but the goal to make it 2-0. Vignato led a counter-attack masterfully (32’) driving through the middle of the pitch. Reaching the edge of the box, with Esposito and Hasa on either side of him, he instead opted for individual glory. His blocked shot fell to Esposito, but he could only manage a shot wide. Esposito’s low show was parried by the Portuguese keeper (36’) whilst Hasa’s right-footed effort flashed over the crossbar (42’). Portugal had a chance in the first of two additional minutes at the end of the half, but Hugo Felix struck high from the freekick granted by Ndour’s foul (yellow card).

In the second half, Italy seemed to be feeling the effects of such an intense first half. After Vignato’s dazzling run (52’) which ended in his low effort being parried away (it was remarkably similar to Pisilli’s goal that made it 2-1 against Spain), Portugal began to put the Italian rearguard under pressure: Gustavo Sa’s effort (54’) was deflected by a defender’s leg, Mastrantonio would have been beaten but the ball rolled just past the post; six minutes later, Marcin Fernandes forced a double save from the Italian goalkeeper. The tactical changes began, as Bollini brought Lipani on for a tired Ndour and then Pisilli for Faticanti (teammates at Roma, in this U19 Championship as well as the U20) and Koleosho for Vignato, who missed a golden opportunity one minute before being subbed off. He controlled a ball over-the-top with his chest/face and struck the ball on the volley, saved strongly by Goncalo Ribeiro.

Milheiro (who was also cautioned for his protests) tried a more offensive set-up with an extra attacker (Herculano for Gustavo Sa) and then with Miguel Falè for the star Hugo Felix, who was amongst the most disappointing for his team. But nothing changed in the final 15 minutes, the Azzurro rearguard controlled the last timid attempts at a Portuguese comeback and, after five minutes of added time (and a thrilling final 10 seconds with Herculano’s speculative right-footed volley effort), it was time for an exciting, deserved, awaited and desired Italian celebration. Celebrations under the grandstand with the Italian fans, Bollini launched into the air by the group, live pictures on Rai 3 reaching Italian homes, a wonderful advert for our football.

ITALY – PORTUGAL 1-0 (HT 1-0)

Italy (4-3-3): Mastrantonio; Missori, L. Dellavalle, A. Dellavalle, Regonesi; Hasa, Faticanti (from 78’ Pisilli), Ndour (from 64’ Lipani); Kayode, P. Esposito, Vignato (from 80’ Koleosho). Coach: Bollini; Unused Substitutes: Palmisani, Chiarodia, D’Andrea, Bozzolan, Amatucci, Turco, ,.

Portugal (4-3-3): Goncalo Ribeiro, Goncalo Esteves, Antonio Ribeiro, Gabriel Bras, Martim Marques (from 46’ Martim Fernandes); Samuel Justo (from 46’ Diogo Prioste), Nuno Felix, Gustavo Sa (from 75’ Herculano Fabian); Hugo Felix (83’ Miguel Falé), Rodrigo Ribeiro, Carlos Borges. Coach: Joaquim Milheiro. Unused Substitutes: Diego Pinto, Jorge Meireles, Luis Gomes, Yarius Da Rocha, Joao Goncalves.

REFEREE: Jablonski (GER). ASSISTANTS: Morim (LUX), Kemptyer (GER). FOURTH OFFICIAL: Bogar (HUN)

GOAL-SCORER(S): 18’ Kayode (I).

NOTES: Corners: 1/1. Yellow Cards: Gabriel Bras, Samuel Justo (P), Mastrantonio, Missori, Ndour, Kayode (I) for unlawful conduct; Gustavo Sa (P) for protests. Additional-time 2’ (HT), 5’ (FT).

THE PREVIOUS AZZURRINI EUROPEAN FINALS

HALL OF FAME

Season: Champion (Host country)