The Under-17 National Team produced a strong display to beat San Marino 5-0 in their opening fixture in Group 9 of Euro qualifying. The Azzurrini opened the scoring in the eighth minute through captain and Borussia Dortmund defender Luca Reggiani, who headed home a corner from Luongo in the eighth minute. Italy doubled their advantage after 33 minutes through Thomas Campaniello, the only player in the squad to have been involved in the U17s’ historic European Championship triumph in Cyprus in the summer. He was also picked out by Luongo and slotted past the goalkeeper with his left foot from inside the box. In the second half, Campaniello scored his second and Italy’s third following good work from the substitute Vincenzo Damiano, after which Empoli midfielder Oliver Blini, another substitute, added a fourth with a near-post header (70’). The final goal of the game was scored by Atalanta striker Vincenzo Damiano, who converted a low Comotto cross from the right flank. In the 85th minute, Campaniello almost completed a hat-trick but was denied by the bar.

“Our objective was to win and score a good number of goals,” said Head Coach Massimiliano Favo. “I’d say that we achieved that, even if we could have won by an ever bigger margin given the chances we created. It was important to start well but to also manage the lads at my disposal and allow those with fewer minutes under their belts to gain international experience. We’re a new group and continually evolving.”

Borussia Dortmund striker Samuele Inácio, whose club side, Borussia Dortmund, will face Sturm Graz in the Youth League at 16:00 CET this afternoon, will join up with the Italy squad tomorrow. At 11:00 CET on Friday 8 November (live stream on Vivo Azzurro TV), the Azzurrini will take to the pitch at the Stadio di Montecchio to face Wales, who lost 4-3 to Norway in their opening match in Group 9. Favo spoke about the team’s next opponents: “They’re a team that never gives up. We know it’ll be a tough match against a determined side.”

Italy 5-0 San Marino
Goalscorers: 8' Reggiani, 33' Campaniello, 65' Campaniello, 70' Blini, 74' Damiano.

ITALY (4-3-1-2) : Nava; Insignito (46' Steffanoni), Iddrisa, Reggiani ©, Giani; Luongo (81' Rodella), Prisco, Borasio (64' Comotto); Pirrò (46' Blini); Wiafe (46' Damiano), Campaniello.
Substitutes: Maran (P), Perrotti, Bovio.
Head Coach: Massimiliano Favo.

SAN MARINO (3-5-2) : Cenci; Montali, Zavoli (57' Sammaritani), Stefani; Tamagnini, Pennacchini (57' Arlotti), Meloni ©, Bucchi, Terni (79' Pala); Molinari (46' Canarezza), Grandoni (75' Baldazzi).
Substitutes: Conti (P), Guidi, De Biagi.
Head Coach: Alessandro Bonesso.

Referee: Jovan Kachevski (MKD)
Assistants: Branko Putilin (MKD) and Michal Volf (CZE) 
Fourth official: Ladislav Szikszay (CZE)

Note:  Prisco (I) 45+2' and Tamagnini (SM) 66' booked. Stoppage time 2', 2'.

UEFA Under-17 Championship | Round 1

Group 9: ITALY, Norway, San Marino* and Wales

*hosts

Matchday 1 (Tuesday 5 November)
ITALY 5-0 San Marino
Wales 3-4 Norway

Table: ITALY (+5) and Norway (+1) 3, Wales (-1) and San Marino (-5) 0.

Matchday 2 (Friday 8 November)
11:00 – ITALY vs. Wales, Stadio di Montecchio (live stream on Vivo Azzurro TV)
11:00 – Norway vs. San Marino, Stadio di Acquaviva

Matchday 3 (Monday 11 November)
11:00 – Norway vs. ITALY, Stadio di Montecchio (live stream on Vivo Azzurro TV)
11:00 – San Marino vs. Wales, Stadio di Acquaviva