On matchday 2 in Group 9, the Under-17 National Team comfortably beat Wales 4-0 in Montecchio today to qualify for Round 2 League A with a game to spare. The Azzurrini took a twelfth minute lead through Empoli man Oliver Blini, who was set up by Campaniello on the counter. In the 52nd minute, Blini went from provider to goalscorer as Atalanta striker Vincenzo Damiano doubled Italy’s lead. After an own goal by Swansea City defender Carter Heywood (84’), Massimiliano Favo’s side put the game to bed through Samuele Inácio, who returned to the group on Wednesday after Borussia Dortmund’s match in the Youth League.

“I’m pleased about the fact we’ve qualified, but I’m particularly happy with our performance against a tough side who have a very intense way of playing,” said the Head Coach. “We won 4-0, but considering we hit the woodwork twice and created a lot of chances, we could have come away with an even bigger victory. This is a new group that can continue to grow and improve.”

The Azzurrini will return to action at 11:00 CET on Monday 11 November at the Stadio di Montecchio (live stream on Vivo Azzurro TV), when they’ll face a Norway side that won 3-0 against hosts San Marino in the other Group 9 clash. “Norway are a really good side,” added Favo. They’re very organised, have interesting technical qualities and, like us, have already progressed to the next qualifying round. We’ll be making no calculations on Monday: we want to finish the group on maximum points.”

ITALY 4-0 WALES
Goalscorers: 12' Blini (I), 52' Damiano (I), 84' OG Heywood (W), 90+1' Inácio (I).

Italy (4-3-1-2) : Nava; Iddrisa, Borasio, Reggiani ©, Giani (80' Perrotti); Steffanoni, Prisco (87' Bovio), Comotto (64' Luongo); Blini (87' Rodella); Campaniello, Damiano (64' Inácio). Subs: Maran (P), Insignito, Pirrò, Wiafe. Head Coach: Massimiliano Favo.

Wales (4-3-3) : Meredith; Williams (64' Marciniak), Reynolds, Heywood (85' Allmark), Dewsbury; Cisse (64' Street), Robinson (64' Newman), Gardner ©; Bradbury, Grainger, Neil (71' Pita). Subs: Abbotson (P), Bloniarczyk, Rhodes, Kendrick. Head Coach: Wayne Hatswell.

Referee: Dmytro Panchyshyn (UKR). Assistants: Valentyn Kutsev (UKR) and Laura Cordani (SMR). Fourth official: Francesco Mineo (SMR)

Notes: Cisse (G) 7', Gardner (G) 14', Comotto (I) 33', Dewsbury (G) 41' and Prisco (I) 58' booked. Stoppage time: 1', 4'.

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

Matchday 2 (Friday 8 November)
ITALY 4-0 Wales
Norway 3-0 San Marino

Table: ITALY (+9) and Norway (+4) 6, Wales (-5) and San Marino (-8) 0.

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