ITALY U21-LATVIA U21 2-0
32′ Casadei, 79′ Fabbian
ITALIA (4-3-3): Desplanches; Zanotti (86′ Kayode), Ghilardi, Calafiori, Ruggeri; Fabbian, Prati, Ndour; Miretti (67′ Esposito), Gnonto (86′ Oristanio), Casadei (86′ Fazzini). CT Nunziata
LATVIA (4-4-1-1): Beck; Novikov, Reingholz, Sliede, Maslov; Rascevskis (84′ Anmanis), Vienties, Melnik, Melkis (46′ Rekis); Vapne (84′ Zaleiko); Puzirevski (57′ Lizunov; 65′ Melnis). CT Basovs
Warned: Reingolz (L), Maslow (L)
L’Italy U21 starts again with a victory towards the next European Championships. At their first outing in 2024, Nunziata’s team Latvia rules 2-0 and maintains the top of the group at +1 on the Irish (who overwhelmed San Marino 7-0). One goal in each half is enough for the Azzurrini, who dominate in Cesena and collect chances: the goals of two midfielders are decisive, Cesare Casadei (former Inter now at Chelsea) e Giovanni Fabian, who confirms himself to be unleashed in front of goal after the 5 centers already scored against Bologna in the championship. Italy will return to the field on Tuesday, in Pavia, against Turkey, beaten 2-0 away last September.
The match report
We start again in Cesena after the last-gasp 2-2 draw in Ireland, a point scored by Gnonto, who holds the top spot in the trident with Miretti and Casadei. Other talented players in Serie A such as Fabbian and Prati as well as Calafiori and Ruggeri are the starters. Chills at the start with Desplanches forced to save on Vapne before Puzirevskis’ high header. Latvia, which in September held the Azzurrini to a 0-0 draw, was ready to become dangerous with Ndour and Fabbian. At 26′ Prati poleprelude to goal scored by Casadei: Miretti rewards Zanotti’s overlap, cross for the jewel owned by Chelsea who acrobatically unlocks it on the fly. Gnonto tries twice, Fabbian devours the second before the break. Italy collecting chances even in the second half: two more attempts from Gnonto, then Miretti comes close to scoring a masterpiece before giving way to Esposito. Fabbian scored the well-deserved double, who in the 79th minute turned the ball into the net from a few steps after a rebound. Game closed, three points and top of the group which remains blue.
