With a goal in each half, the Under 20s earned a second consecutive win in the 8 Nations tournament. In Arad, Carmine Nunziata's side - who will take part in the U20 World Cup in Indonesia in May -  beat Romania 2-1, giving them a second successive win on their travels (and with the same result) after winning in Portugal in September.  

In an exciting end-to-end contest of the highest quality, first half goals from Giovanni Fabbian (Reggina) and Giuseppe Ambrosino (Como) were enough to seal the win, despite the Romanians reducing the deficit after the break thanks to Ianis Stoica's converted penalty. "We faced a tough team, but this is the level of international football and it's right that the lads get used to playing in it," said Nunziata. "It was a really good game of football, both sides played well, but I believe we were worthy winners in the end. I'm happy with the lads' development; some players from last year's group have now moved up to the First Team, but it's also really pleasing to see how the available players in this Under-20 side are progressing."

With Fazzini lining up behind Ambrosino and Nasti, Italy took the lead after 34 minutes thanks to Fabbian, who did well to hammer home after Ambrosino's initial effort was saved by Romanian keeper Sava. It was the Reggina midfielder's second successive goal for the Under 20s, after the one over Switzerland in Varese last time out. At the start of the second half, the lead was doubled with a stunning finish by the Como forward who, after the riding a challenge by two Romanian defenders, shot on the turn into the far post that game the opposition's number one no chance. The first Azzurrini changes were made just before the hour mark, with Zanotti, Ambrosino and Nasti being replaced by Mulazzi, Montevago and De Nipoti.  

And it was Mulazzi who was straight into the thick of the action bringing down Stoica in the area on 62 minutes, giving no option for the referee but to point to the spot; up stepped the Romanian number ten to send Desplanches the wrong way to reopen up the contest. In the dying minutes, Italy spurned a great chance to finish the game off through Ndour, but his attempt was off-target. Similarly, Stoica's acrobatic effort in the area at the other end failed to hit the mark, and the game ended 2-1 in Italy's favour. The Under-20 side now return home and move onwards to Sassuolo on Friday to start preparations for Monday's game against the Czech Republic (kick-off at 15:00 CET, live on RaiSport).

ROMANIA VS. ITALY 1-2
ROMANIA: Sava; Mitran, Ignat, Ilie, Borza (72' Amzar); Pandele (72' Mogos), Mihai (46' Perianu), Filip (72' Ciuciulete); Bratu (54' Pop), Bani (54'Stoica); Cojocaru (54' Andronache). Unused Subs: Toroc, Oncescu, Buta, Rimovecz, Radu. Coach. Pancu
ITALY: Desplanches; Zanotti (58' Mulazzi), Ghilardi, Fontanarosa, Giovane (75' Fiumanò); Fabbian, Faticanti, Ndour; Fazzini (90+1' Palomba); Ambrosino (58' Montevago), Nasti (58' De Nipoti). Unused Subs: Zacchi, Sassi, Turicchia, Pieragnolo, Degli Innocenti, Vergara. Coach. Nunziata
REFEREE: Roman (Romania)
SCORERS: 34' pt Fabbian (I), 5' st Ambrosino (I), 18' rig. Stoica (R)
NOTES: Bookings: Nasti (I), Giovane (I), Ghilardi (I), Mulazzi (I), Stoica (R), Andronache (R), Desplanches (I)

Italy Fixtures and results in 8 Nations tournament

7 June 2022: ITALY vs. Poland 0-1
23 September 2022: Portugal vs. ITALY 1-2
17 November 2022: Romania vs. ITALY 1-2
21 November 2022: ITALY vs. Czech Republic
3 March 2023: Norway vs. ITALY
27 March 2023: ITALY vs. Germany