The first of two friendly games against Switzerland for the Under-16 side ended 2-2. Under the stewardship of Daniele Zoratto, the Azzurrini went ahead twice in the game, thanks to first-half goals from Alessandro Olivieri (Empoli) and Mattia Mosconi (Inter), but were unable to hold onto the lead as the home side came from behind. "It was an entertaining and enjoyable game", said the Head Coach afterwards. "We started the game really well, creating many opportunities. The only thing was we were a little sloppy in possession but our approach to the game was excellent. After the break, we tired because the lads have still to get their league campaigns underway, so to play for 80 minutes with that intensity was always going to be a hard task. But overall, I'm really satisfied with what we brought to the game against a really solid side with lots of quality". The two sides will face each other again at Ascona - a small Swiss town on Lake Maggiore in the Ticino canton - on Thursday, kicking off at 12:30 CEST.

Italy started off like a house on fire and took the lead after only one minute and 15 seconds on the clock. After good work just outside the Swiss box, Oliveri fired home high into the net. The Azzurrini continued to put further pressure on the home side: after seven minutes, goalkeeper Huwiler made a fine stop to his left from Maiorana's left-footed strike, that was heading into the corner. Soon after, Zoratto's boys carved out a similar chance only for Mosconi's shot to go just wide. But against the run of play, Switzerland equalised after 13 minutes: Tairi's corner from the right was met by Kospo, who rose highest to head past Vannucchi. But Italy responded immediately and went in front again, thanks to Mosconi's shot across the keeper from a tight angle after 20 minutes. 

The first half continued to thrill: the Azzurrini nearly made it 3-1 three minutes later as Maiorana's left-footed strike from the edge of the box was well-saved by Huwiler and put behind. From the resulting corner, Biagioni headed over. In the closing minutes, Switzerland had a goal disallowed for offside before there was a scary moment for Vannucchi; Turhan put a ball into the box from the right-hand side and Biagioni almost scored an own goal hitting the top of the bar.

After an entertaining half, the second half failed to live up to the first. Italy risked losing the lead after 65 minutes but Cakolli's header was off target, after an assist from the right by Cassese. Ten minutes later though, the second equaliser of the match for Switzerland arrived from substitute Guido. The number 23 shot from the edge of the area but it took a deflection of Biagioni and went in the bottom left-hand corner past Vannucchi. With two minutes remaining on the clock, the same Biagioni had a chance to put the Azzurrini ahead for a third time but his shot went just over. Ten seconds from the end, Switzerland had the last chance of the game but Vidovi's free-kick smashed against the woodwork.

The Squad List

Goalkeepers: Tommaso Vannucchi (Fiorentina), Alessandro Nunziante (Benevento);
Defenders: Federico Colombo (Milan), Edoardo Sturli (Fiorentina), Lorenzo Biagioni (Fiorentina), Christian Garofalo (Napoli), Alessandro Luchetti (Inter), Manuel Maffessoli (Atalanta), Cristian Cama (Roma), Jacopo Contarini (Juventus);
Midfielders: Alessandro Di Nunzio (Roma), Diego Pisani (Fiorentina), Andrea Orlandi (Empoli), Ernesto Perin (Milan), Niccolò Gariani (Atalanta), Martino Odero (Genoa), Mattia Liberali (Milan), Alessandro Olivieri (Empoli);
Forwards: Mattia Mosconi (Inter), Alex Castiello (Atalanta), Stefano Maiorana (Fiorentina), *Claudio Giardino (Juventus).

*called up to replace Francesco Castaldo (Bologna)

Staff - Head Coach: Daniele Zoratto; Assistant Head Coach: Davide Cei; Goalkeeping Coordinator: Gaetano Petrelli; Goalkeeper Coach: Fabrizio Capodici; Fitness Coach: Luca Coppari; Match analyst: Andrea Giovanni Loiacono; Doctors: Giorgio Liberati Petrucci and Sofia Calaciura Clarich; Physiotherapist: Alessandro Sferrella; Nutritionist: Vito Flavio Valletta; Secretary: Alessandro Lulli.