Italy were victories in Dublin following two unanswered goals; Pisa striker Lorenzo Lucca starred on the night, scoring the Azzurrini’s first and setting up Cancellieri for the second. These three points are massive in the hunt for qualification for the finals of the Euros. The Azzurrini now have 13 points, just one behind group leaders Sweden, who have played one game more and beat Bosnia today. Next Tuesday, Italy will play Romania in a friendly, while Sweden will host Ireland – Montenegro vs. Bosnia is the other game.

Paolo Nicolato’s U21 side confirmed in these 90 minutes that they are a team in constant growth, as the coach had hoped before kick-off.

THE GAME – Carnesecchi returned in between the sticks after an injury; Bellanova, Lovato, Okoli and Cambiaso formed the defence, while Rovella, Esposito and Ricci started in midfield. In attack, Lucca was flanked by Colombo and Vignato out wide. So it was three changes from the side that face Sweden last time out: Carnesecchi – who took the captain’s armband, the debutant Cambiaso in place of Udogie and Ricci replacing Tonali, who is in the first-team squad.

The game was a stop-start affair early on and was largely affected by the strong wind blowing over the Tallaght Stadium. Ireland started with a determined look and Italy struggled to get going in the opening ten minutes. An early chance for Wright, who failed to test Carnesecchi (3’), preceded the Azzurrini growing into the match and, in the twelfth minute, Vignato’s overhead kick flashed wide. Three minutes later, Ricci’s shot whistled over the crossbar.

While the hosts looked to hit Italy with quick counters via the flanks, Nicolato’s side tried to dominate possession of the football. The next big chance calm on the half-hour mark and it was the telling opportunity. Rovella crossed it in and O’Brien’s failed clearance dropped to Lucca, who fired past goalkeeper Maher to make it 1-0.

Italy were in the lead but lost Lovato in the 33rd minute to injury; Pirola came on in his place. The Azzurrini managed the remainder of the half well with character and personality, evening coming close to doubling their lead in the 39th minute through Vignato. With one minute of normal time left in the first half, Ricci let fly to no avail.

Just after the break, Cambiaso, who put in a more than solid performance, fired goalwards but it was wayward. With the lead at their backs, the Azzurrini – remembering what happened against Sweden in Monza – tried to kill off the game but Ireland utilised their physical prowess to shut Italy out. In the 68th minute, Ebosele looked to get the hosts on level terms but his effort went wide.

It was a lively final period with chances on both sides. In the 79th minute, Rovella fired wide and then, eight minutes from full time, Carnesecchi did brilliantly to deny Tierney. Two minutes later, Maher responded with a save of his own to deny Colombo. Nicolato made his second change in the 86th minute as he sent on Matteo Cancellieri in place of Colombo. And it was the substitute who finally gave Italy their second goal. Lucca fed the Verona forward, who rifled it past Maher to make it 2-0.