De Nipoti's 13th-minute goal proved to be enough for the National Under-19 team to beat Albania, echoing Under-18’s win yesterday, also at Coverciano. This match showed some good signs ahead for Coach Carmine Nunziata, who, during the match, rotated the entire team, giving all the players the opportunity to play. Although other friendlies will follow, this game marked a step towards the first qualifying phase for the European Championships that will take place in Slovenia from October 6 to 12. Italy will face the hosts, Iceland and Lithuania.

The match. The initial open-ended start was interrupted in the 13th minute when Alessandro Fontanarosa (Inter) crossed it in from the left. He found Tommaso De Nipoti (Atalanta) in the box, who scored with his first touch. The forward from Orobia, due to a clash in the game, was replaced in the 36th minute by his clubmate Federico Zuccon. The match continued in alternating phases with the Albanians, countering well, appearing often in the Azzurri area. Juventus midfielder Fabio Miretti took control of the situation and had shots on a couple of occasions, the last of which, at the end of the first half, allowed Fontanarosa to shoot at goal. His shot, well aimed towards the opponent's net, was deflected into the corner by an Albanian defender. This ended the first half, with Italy leading 1-0. At half-time Carmine Nunziata completely switched up the team, making 9 substitutions, while the opposition coach, Cungu, maintained the initial set-up, making only one change. Albania got off to a strong start and Dragaj unleashed his right-footed effort from the penalty spot towards Gioele Zacchi (Sassuolo), who had replaced Milan's Desplanches in the Azzurri's goal. Little else action happened during the rest of the game, a little penalised by the great heat. Italy played with the ball and controlled the game until the end, bringing home their first win of the season.

At the end of the match, Carmine Nunziata said "It went very well and I'm happy, especially with the response I got from the guys I knew but hadn’t yet seen at work in this National Team. It wasn’t easy; despite the stifling temperature (40 degrees), the remaining line-up (many remained at home), the players were good at putting in place the game plan. I switched all the players, partly because of the heat but mainly to understand what set-up to give the team before the European qualifiers. We will have time to refine it”, concluded the Azzurri Coach, “also thanks to the two friendlies (Netherlands and England) that we will play before the start of the European competition".

Italy 1-0 Albania

Goalscorers: 13’ De Nipoti

ITALY (4-3-1-2) : Desplanches (46' Zacchi, 69' Sassi); Gentile (46' Cavallini), Ghilardi (46' Coppola), Fontanarosa (46' Palomba, 69' Bertola), Sandon (46' Boci); Fabbian (46' Degl'Innocenti [C]), Miretti (46' Faticanti), Giovane (C) (46' Terracciano); Cavuoti (46' Rossi); De Nipoti (38' Zuccon), N'Gbesso (62' Pinotti).
Coach: Nunziata.

ALBANIA U19 (4-3-3) : Kacaj (46' Tozaj); Dervishi (87' Greca), Preka (C), Zalli, Bytyci (87' Spahija); Qefalia (87' Preloshi), Zenelaj, Nerguti (54' Pjeshka); Mata (69' Bibo), Toci (87' Shpuza), Shpendi (46' Dragaj).
Subs: Janaqi. Coach: Cungu.

Referee: Edoardo Mazzoni; First Assistant, Massimo Vagheggi; Second Assistant, Christian Giannetti; Fourth Official, Juri  Gallorini.