A great match played at a high tempo, with Italy well organised and maintaining the correct distances out on the pitch at the Federal Centre in Telki. The Azzurrini managed to come from behind, too: in the 26th minute, Hungary took the lead through Varga, who, after receiving the ball from Szabo let fly with an explosive left-footed strike that hit the inside of the post before going in. Italy’s response was immediate: two minutes later, Cocchi raced down the left wing and found Scotti, who, just outside the box, produced a lovely back-heel for Mendicino. The latter, free in the area, then levelled matters with a powerful right-footed strike.

The game continued to be played at a fast pace after the restart and, after chances for Szabo at one end and substitute Liberali at the other, Ravaglioli won it with a great bit of individual play, first beating a defender and then escaping the goalkeeper’s attentions before firing into the far corner with his right foot. A 2-1 victory for the Azzurrini, who will once again face the Hungarians at the Federal Centre in Telki at 11:00 CET on Thursday.  

 

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Tommaso Martinelli (Fiorentina), Francesco Plaia (Spezia);

Defenders: Matteo Cocchi (Inter), Vittorio Magni (Milan), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus), Gabriel Ramaj (Atalanta), Edoardo Sadotti (Fiorentina), Fabio De Sole (Torino), Alessandro Ventre Juventus), Francesco Verde (Juventus), Roberto D’Intino (Parma);

Midfielders: Francesco Crapisto (Juventus), Andrea Bonanomi (Atalanta), Lorenzo Carfora (Benevento), Gabriele Finocchiaro (Juventus), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Leonardo Mendicino (Atalanta), Lorenzo Riccio (Atalanta), Marco Romano (Genoa);

Forwards: Federico Ragnoli Galli (Atalanta), Mattia Liberali (Milan), Emanuele Rao (Spal), Tommaso Ravaglioli (Bologna), Filippo Scotti (Milan).

Staff – Head Coach: Bernardo Corradi; National Youth Team Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Assistant Coach: Massimiliano Favo; Goalkeeping Coach: Davide Quironi; Fitness Coach: Adalberto Zamuner; Match Analyst: Andrea Loiacono; Doctor: Alessio Rossato; Nutritionist: Claudio Pecorella; Physiotherapist: Enrico Matera; Secretary: Massimo Petracchini.