U21s finish second in Group A after 1-1 draw with Spain

Nunziata: “A great performance”

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

U21s finish second in Group A after 1-1 draw with Spain

Two quick-fire goals at either end in the second half and nothing to separate the sides. In front of 12,573 fans, the U21s played out a 1-1 draw with Spain at the Anton Malatinský Stadium in Trnava in their third and final fixture in Group A of the 2025 European Under-21 Championship. Real Betis striker Jesús Rodríguez opened the scoring eight minutes after the restart, but Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli restored parity six minutes later with an excellent effort across the goalkeeper.

Carmine Nunziata was satisfied with his team’s performance: “We played a great game,” he said. “The boys deserve a lot of credit. We switched formation (from 4-3-2-1 to 3-4-3-2, Ed.) in just one say and still kept the same intensity as in our other matches. These 23 players are all solid, reliable options. There’s still room for improvement, but tonight we really played well.” Pisilli also recognised the merit of the draw, even if there was a slight sense of regret:
“It was an important goal, although I’d have preferred to win 2–1 and top the group. We gave everything until the end, and that’s what really matters.”

THE MATCH. Italy switched from a 4-3-2-1 to a 3-4-2-1 formation as Nunziata overhauled his line-up. Indeed, the Head Coach made ten changes to the side that beat Slovakia 1-0 in Trnava, with only Coppola retaining his place at the heart of the defence. Spain, off the back of a 2-1 comeback victory over Romania in Bratislava, stuck to their tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 system but were once again without the injured Gerard Martín. Santi Denia’s line-up also contained ten new faces, with Marc Pubill (at right-back) being the only player to keep his spot.

Mikel Jaureguizar (Spagna) e Issa Doumbia (Italia) a contrasto

Spain made the better start: in the eleventh minute, Coppola made a crucial intervention to put the ball behind for a corner after Raúl Moro had got the better of Guarino down the right flank. Italy responded with a 22nd-minute effort from the lively Fazzini, but it was too close to Pablo Campos. Pablo Marín fired off target (26’), while, at the other end, captain Ghilardi threatened with a header from a Fazzini corner and Pablo Campos produced a near-post save to thwart Kayode. Pisilli also had a go from the edge of the box, but his shot went well wide.

Spain took the lead in the 53rd minute through Jesús Rodríguez, who tapped home after being set up by Raúl Moro. However, the Azzurrini responded with determination: six minutes later, Pisilli escaped the attentions of Pablo Marín before firing across Pablo Campos and into the net. It was an open match: Zacchi saved an effort from Roberto, while Pablo Campos dived to his left to keep out a shot from Turicchia. In the closing stages, Pisilli fired narrowly wide with a right-footed attempt from distance. After three minutes of stoppage time, the full-time whistle was blown, with Italy finishing second behind Spain in Group A on goals scored (six compared to three).

The Azzurrini will return to action on Sunday 22 June at the MOL Aréna in Dunajská Streda, where they will face the runners-up of Group B.

In alto, da sinistra a destra: Zacchi, Doumbia, Kayode, Guarino, Coppola e Ghilardi. In basso, da sinistra a destra: Turicchia, Fazzini, Pisilli, Bianco e Ambrosino.

SPAIN 1-1 ITALY

SPAIN (4-2-3-1): Pablo Campos; Marc Pubill (74' Pablo Torre), Rafa Marín ©, Herzog, Andrés García; Jauregizar, Pablo Marín (65' Diego López); Raúl Moro (90' Tárrega), Moleiro (74' Juanlu), Jesús Rodríguez (65' Javi Guerra); Roberto. Substitutes: Iturbe (P), Fraga (P), Mosquera, Turrientes, Mateo Joseph, Hugo Bueno. Head Coach: Santi Denia.

ITALY (3-4-2-1): Zacchi; Ghilardi ©, Guarino (39'st Pirola), Coppola; Kayode, Doumbia, Bianco, Turicchia (84' Ruggeri); Pisilli (90' Prati), Fazzini (74' Casadei); Ambrosino (74' Gnonto). Substitutes: Desplanches (P), Sassi (P), Zanotti, Pirola, Ndour, Baldanzi, Fabbian, Koleosho. Head Coach: Carmine Nunziata.

Referee: Nicholas Walsh (SCO). Assistants: Daniel McFarlane (SCO) and Calum Spence (SCO). Fourth official: Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO). VAR: Andrew Dallas (SCO). AVAR: Jan Boterberg (BEL).

Goalscorers: 53' Jesús Rodríguez (ESP), 59' Pisilli (ITA).

Notes: Ghilardi (ITA) 40', Fazzini (ITA) 57', Marc Pubill (ESP) 67' and Roberto (ESP) 80' booked. Stoppage time: 0', 3'.

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