The Under 17 National Team’s season began with a draw. At the ‘Gino Colaussi’ Stadium in Gradisca d’Isonzo, the Azzurrini’s first of two friendlies against Slovenia ended in a draw. One step closer to the first phase of European qualifiers, in which Italy will host San Marino, Northern Ireland and Greece in October. Gianluca Maggiore (Atalanta) responded to Sabotic’s opener. The two teams will take each other on again, this time in Slovenia, at 10:30 CEST on Thursday. 

“Considering it was the first match of the season, I’m satisfied” explained the coach, Massimiliano Favo, his first match with the U17s, having previously managed the U15s. “It’s a shame to not have won the match but the indications are good. We conceded an early goal but we reacted well and imposed our game upon the opponent: This group has moved from a category (U16) where the results count to a certain point to a category that foresees the final of the European Championships. It is for this reason that each stage like this represents a path in both individual growth and the growth of the group, as we become more concrete.” 

Favo started Vannucchi between the posts; Colombo, Verde, Maffessoli and Cocchi made up the back four, Mancuso, Gariani and Arduini in midfield with Liberali behind Mosconi and Orlandi. After five minutes, however, it was Sabotic that broke the deadlock. The Italians provided a timely and gritty reaction though, hitting the post through Liberali and coming close on two other occasions, colliding with Slovenian goalkeeper Znudrl. 

Favo made nine substitutions (“This way, we can manage our energy, the same will happen on Thursday” explained the coach) at the beginning of the second half. Another substitution followed shortly after, a decisive substitution for the goal. Maggiore, on the pitch for mere minutes having replaced Cocchi, scored the leveller. 

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Massimo Pessina (Bologna), Tommaso Vannucchi (Fiorentina);
Defenders: Mattia Cappelletti (Milan), Matteo Cocchi (Inter), Federico Colombo (Milan), Christian Garofalo (Napoli), Manuel Maffessoli (Atalanta), Gianluca Maggiore (Atalanta), Francesco Verde (Juventus), Giorgio Vezzosi (Sassuolo);
Midfielders: Giacomo Arduini (Roma), Davide Atzeni (Fiorentina), Alessandro Di Nunzio (Roma), Niccolò Gariani (Atalanta), Mattia Liberali (Milan), Matias Mancuso (Inter), Andrea Orlandi (Empoli), Ernesto Perin (Milan);
Attackers: Francesco Camarda (Milan), Francesco Castaldo (Bologna), Stefano Maiorana (Fiorentina); Mattia Mosconi (Inter), Elia Plicco (Parma)

Staff – National youth teams coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Head coach: Massimiliano Favo; Assistant coach: Matteo Barella; Physical trainer: Adalberto Zamuner; Goalkeeper coach: Davide Quironi; Match analyst: Andrea Loiacono; Medics: Sofia Calaciura Clarich, Alessio Rossato; Physiotherapists: Enrico Matera; Nutritionist: Claudio Pecorella; Secretary: Massimo Petracchini