The Italy Under-21 side ended their season with a victory: in Fontanafredda, Calvani’s goal in the 64th minute was enough to secure a 1-0 win over Albania. In front of 2,700 spectators at the ‘Omero Tognon’ stadium, Carmine Nunziata’s Azzurrini delivered a solid and disciplined performance, finding the decisive moment early in the second half. The Under-21s now head into a summer break, before returning in October for their final two decisive European Championship qualifiers: on 1 October away in Armenia, and on 5 October at home against Poland in a direct clash.

NUNZIATA. After the match, coach Carmine Nunziata said, “It was a game where we had to stay firm and maintain our style of play, because they are physical and can make things difficult for you. We can’t think of playing that kind of football; we have to impose our own, and in the end, we managed to do that. We made a lot of mistakes, but this is a new group, and building cohesion at the end of the season wasn’t easy. Still, they showed great commitment and desire. Calvani? He finished the season in the best possible way; he deserved it. The substitutions were planned; they weren’t because the players were performing badly, but to give everyone some playing time.”

CALVANI. The player who scored the decisive goal, Gabriele Calvani, said: “Whenever I wear this shirt, I always try to give my best, and I’m happy to have contributed a goal. Today I was kind of a ‘veteran’ because I might be older than the others: I joined the national team this year, and I always try to help and support everyone. These matches are never easy, especially in the heat, but against a tough team, we managed to win. Our great attitude was key in dealing with the challenges.”

THE MATCH. Nunziata opted for Torriani in goal, setting up in a 4-3-2-1 with Vavassori and Rao behind Lavelli. After a balanced start, Albania had their first real chance in the 20th minute through Toma‘s header that went just wide. Italy responded immediately with a good move down the flank, but Lavelli narrowly missed the ball in front of the goal. The Azzurrini tried to build through possession but struggled to break down a compact Albanian defence. The last chance of the first half came from Dodaj, whose header went wide following a counterattack.

SECOND HALF. At the start of the second half, Nunziata made six substitutions. Albania threatened early through Perndreca, but Italy gradually took control. The breakthrough came when Alesi burst into the box and delivered a cross to the far post, where Calvani, normally a centre-back, ran in to score and make it 1-0. Italy managed the game well afterwards and saw out the win comfortably.

ITALY 1-0 ALBANIA

Italy (4-3-2-1): Torriani (Mascardi 46’); Amey (Moruzzi 46’), Calvani, Stabile (Guarino 46’), Cama (Bakoune 46’); Mannini (Alesi 46’), Rispoli (Di Nunzio 82’), Zeroli (Ciammaglichella 46’); Vavassori (Nuamah 60’), Rao (Cassa 82’); Lavelli (Okoro 66’).
Substitutes: Corradi, Siviero.

Albania (4-4-2): Simoni (Totoshi 54’); Muca (Ad. Kurti 85’), Fikaj, Bashi, Ar. Kurti; Shehu (Daka 66’), Fetai (Myrta 85’), Alili (Asani 54’), Perndreca (Osmani 85’); Toma (Maksuti 54’), Dodaj (Brruti 66’).
Substitutes: Rama, Taho, Marku, Kacurri.

Goalscorer: Calvani 64’ (I)

Referee: David Smajc (Slovenia)
Assistant referees: David Gabrovec (Slovenia) and Tomaz Cerne (Slovenia)
Fourth official: Andrea Calzavara (Italy)

Notes: Attendance: 2,700.
Yellow cards: Kacurri 79’ (A), Perndreca 80’ (A), Brruti 87’ (A).