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.

VERCELLI, ITALY - AUGUST 23: Italy coach Bernardo Corradi issues instructions to his players during the International Friendly Match between Italy U17 and Switzerland U17 at Stadio Silvio Piola on August 23, 2022 in Vercelli, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
VERCELLI, ITALY - AUGUST 23: Italy coach Bernardo Corradi issues instructions to his players during the International Friendly Match between Italy U17 and Switzerland U17 at Stadio Silvio Piola on August 23, 2022 in Vercelli, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
VERCELLI, ITALY - AUGUST 23: Italy coach Bernardo Corradi issues instructions to his players during the International Friendly Match between Italy U17 and Switzerland U17 at Stadio Silvio Piola on August 23, 2022 in Vercelli, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

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.