Bollini: ‘The boys were exemplary’ in 1-0 win over Greece
19 November 2024
U19: Italy's Euro hopes still alive: Bosnia beaten by a Vignato double and one from Hasa
In Rumia (Poland), Bollini's side had no other option but win to keep their hopes of going through to Round 2 alive: the Monza forward grabbed two penalties with the Juventus player getting the clincherSaturday, September 24, 2022
The Under-19s' Euro journey is not over yet. In Rumia (Poland), the Azzurrini responded to their opening game defeat to Estonia in the perfect way beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-2 in their second Group 5 game in this first stage of qualification. Next up for a place in Round 2 are the hosts Poland on Tuesday at 14:00 CEST.
The game started perfectly for Alberto Bollini's side as they went one up inside two minutes courtesy of Monza striker Samuele Vignato's penalty, after a foul by Smajic on Turco. The equaliser came through Sakota after 38 minutes, but Vignato restored the lead from the penalty spot again after a foul by Pestic. To complicate things for the Azzurrini, Prskalo drew Bosnia and Herzegovina level with 15 minutes remaining, but with two minutes on the clock to go, Luis Hasa (Juventus), replacing Turco only five minutes earlier, found the winner to clinch victory at the death.
"The psychological blow after the defeat to Estonia could have affected us, but the lads' game management was exceptional, even in difficult moments," said Coach Bollini afterwards. " The team showed a togetherness, approaching the game in the right way. At the end of the first half, we dropped our tempo a little when in possession of the ball and Bosnia took advantage of it. After the second equaliser, we could have lost heart, but the third goal to make it 3-2 gives us a huge injection of confidence going into the Poland game." In the other group game, Poland beat Estonia 2-0.
The top two of each group (13 groups in total), and the best third-placed team who got the best results against the top two in their group, will go to Portugal for the Elite Round in Spring 2023.
Group 5: Schedule, results and standings
Matchday 1 (21 September)
ITALY-Estonia 0-2
Poland-Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0
Matchday 2 (24 September)
Bosnia and Herzegovina-ITALY 2-3
Poland-Estonia 2-0
Standings: Poland (6pts), Estonia and ITALY (3), Bosnia and Herzegovina (0).
Matchday 3 (27 September)
14:00 CEST: Poland-ITALY (Gdynia)
14:00 CEST: Estonia-Bosnia and Herzegovina
