The most frustrating ending possible in a friendly where even a draw would have been an unjust result. Instead, in front of 2300 spectators at the Stadio Luigi Penzo in Venice, the U21s were beaten 2-1 by a Netherlands side that was reduced to nine men following red cards for Banzuzi and Bogarde. In the final move of the game, the Dutch struck on the counter, with the substitute Bruns scoring the winner after a Sebastiano Esposito penalty had cancelled out Fitz-Jim’s opener for Reiziger’s side.

“We made a big mistake,” admitted Nunziata. “However, we’ll take the excellent performance with us from the match. I don’t want to focus on the final episode but rather on the entire game: we did well for the other 93 minutes. I wanted to experiment by playing Miretti in midfield, but it wasn’t exactly a new position for him as he’d played there for me at U19 level. As for our style of play, looking ahead to the Euros, we’re in pretty good shape, even if more intensity is required in international matches. You can’t always dominate possession: there were periods where we kept the ball more and periods where we had it less. There were plenty of positives, and this is a team that never gives up. There are things to improve, of course, but that’s part of my job.”

THE MATCH.Nunziata opted to play Koleosho and Baldanzi behind Gnonto with Miretti – as he’d already confirmed in his pre-match press conference – in midfield. The first opportunity of the game saw Ndour try to pick out Gnonto, who, however, was beaten to the ball by Flamingo. Shortly afterwards, a right-footed effort from Koleosho was saved by Owusu Oduro, who also kept out a near-post strike from Gnonto. The Dutch took a surprise 19th-minute lead through Fitz-Jim, who beat Desplanches after some good work by Poku down the left. After needing a few minutes to digest the blow, Italy went back on the attack and came close to equalising through Gnonto, who fired narrowly off target. Before the break, Sebastiano Espositio replaced the injured Gnonto and Owusu Oduro thwarted Baldanzi.

At half-time, Zacchi replaced Desplanches between the sticks. At the other end of the pitch, Poku fouled Palestra in the box and Sebastiano Esposito powerfully converted the resulting penalty. The Netherlands were reduced to ten men in the 61st minute following a straight red card for Banzuzi after a poor challenge on Baldanzi. With a man advantage, and with fresh legs on the pitch (Zanotti, Doumbia and Pisilli, followed by Ambrosino and Volpato), Italy pushed forward in the hunt for a second goal, with Flamingo getting in the way of an effort from Esposito and debutant Doumbia (at his club stadium) failing to convert a Miretti assist. The Netherlands then had another man sent off following a second yellow card for Bogarde, but they ended up winning as Ohio set up Bruns to score. There isn’t much time to dwell on this defeat: at 18:15 CET on Monday, the Azzurrini will return to action with a friendly against Denmark in Cittadella.

ITALY 1-2 NETHERLANDS
ITALY (4-3-2-1): Desplanches (46’ Zacchi); Palestra, Coppola, Pirola, Turicchia (62’ Zanotti); Fabbian (62’ Doumbia), Miretti, Ndour (76’ Volpato); Baldanzi (62’ Pisilli), Koleosho (76’ Ambrosino); Gnonto (45+1’ S. Esposito). Substitutes: Sassi, Prati, Ghilardi, Angori, Bianco, Bertola, Pafundi. Head Coach: Nunziata

NETHERLANDS (4-3-3): Owusu Oduro; Asante, Flamingo, Goes, Salah-Eddine (74’ Bogarde); Banzuzi, Fitz-Jim (64’ Valente), Proper; Manhoef (64’ Hansen, 93’ Bruns), Emegha (74’ Ohio), Poku (64’ Van Brederode). Substitutes: Raatsie, Zechiel, Van Breemen, Van Bergen, Roefs. Head Coach: Reiziger

Referee: Ciochirca (Austria). Assistants: Weiss-Obritzberger (Austria). Fourth official: Bonacina (Italy)

Goalscorers: 19' Fitz-Jim (P), 54’pen. Esposito (I), 90+4' Bruns (P)

Notes: Red cards for Banzuzi (N) in the 61st minute for violent conduct and Bogarde (N) in the 92nd minute for a second bookable offence. Asante (N), Esposito (I), Doumbia (I), Valente (P) booked.