After the narrow defeat (2-1) in the first friendly played on Tuesday, the Under 16 National Team redeemed what had been their first defeat of the season, winning 3-2 against Spain. Italy, who managed a draw and a win in two friendlies with England in August, returned to winning ways thanks to goals scored by Thomas Campaniello (Empoli), Cristian Carrara (Inter) and Nicolò Ballabio (Monza). Spain came back in the second half, reducing the deficit with goals from Barcelona’s two young talents, Fernandez Casino and Ferreno but they couldn’t complete the comeback. 

“Winning against Spain is never easy - commented coach, Daniele Zoratto - I had never managed it in my career and in the last three years, I’ve beaten them twice, the first with the 2006 group at Coverciano and today with the 2008 group. It was a different game compared to the game two days ago, partly because the boys got used to the pitch and the intensity of play. We played very well in the first sixty minutes, then we dropped off a bit. But I am happy, I got the response I was looking for.” 

THE MATCH. Compared to Tuesday's match, Zoratto made ten changes, only retaining the captain, Luca Reggiani, who was lined up in defence with Tavanti, Ciucci and Calvani. In midfield, La Torre, Ballabio, Comotto and Busiello, whilst Carrara and Campaniello lead the line. After a couple of good chances for Spain, it was Italy who found the lead on the half-hour mark with Campaniello, who beat Diaz. In the 40th minute, Carrara doubled the lead with an unstoppable shot just under the crossbar, and in the second half, Ballabio made it 3-0 after a good counter. The goals scored by the Barcelona duo Casino and Ferreno in the final minutes weren’t enough for the hosts, fixing the result at 2-3. 

The Under 16s return to the pitch at the beginning of October when they fly to the Netherlands to face the Oranje in a doubleheader. Then the usual Val de Marne Tournament, which the Azzurrini won a year ago.