The Italy U18 national team got their campaign off to a winning start, beating Chile 2-1 in Samobor in the first of four friendly matches scheduled in Croatia.

The Azzurrini took the lead in the 45th minute through Atalanta forward Diego Perillo, before Chile equalised two minutes into the second half when Club Deportes Iquique winger Bayron Barrera converted a penalty. Daniele Franceschini’s side regained the lead in the 66th minute, with Perillo finding the net again to complete his brace.

“I’m satisfied because it was a good test,” said the Italy coach. “When you play against South American teams, whose strengths include physicality and determination, you have to be able to adapt, and the boys did a great job of reading the game today. Obviously, some things went well and others less so. Our possession, for example, is an area where I’d like us to improve in terms of managing the ball. But overall, I’m satisfied.”

Italy will be back in action on Tuesday 29 September at 12:30 CEST, again in Samobor, against Denmark U18. “It will be a different game,” Franceschini explained. “Beyond the physicality that comes with international matches, we’ll be facing an opponent that will look to play more along the ground and find players between the lines. We’ll need to stay true to our identity, because these four matches are primarily about giving everyone playing time and, in particular, assessing the players who have spent a little less time with us, ahead of the World Cup [in Qatar from 19 November to 13 December].”

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Lorenzo Costoli (Genoa), Carlo Galliera (Inter)*, Mattia Sonzogni (Atalanta)**;
Defenders: Matteo Albini (Como)*, Giampaolo Bonifazi (Roma), Cristian Covelli (Empoli)**, Lorenzo Dattilo (Roma)**, Jacopo Del Fabro (Juventus), Djibril Diallo (Parma)*, Andrea Donato (Inter)*, Edoardo Evangelista (Inter)**, Davide Gaffurini (Torino)**, Lorenzo Puricelli (Inter), Davide Rigo (Juventus)*, Giacomo Strata (Roma)**, Ludovico Varali (Parma);
Midfielders: Francesco Ballarin (Roma)**, Edoardo Biondini (Empoli), Riccardo Cassano (Como), Tito Maria Fabbri (Modena)**, Francesco Gasparello (Atalanta), Gioele Giammattei (Roma)*, Gianluca Tommaso Okon-Engstler (Club Brugge), Francesco Olivieri (Atalanta)*,
Forwards: Tommaso Casagrande (Hellas Verona)*, Thomas Corigliano (Juventus)*, Federico Croci (Fiorentina), Marcello Fugazzola (Atalanta), Jacopo Landi (Lazio)*, Thomas Matarrese (Inter)**, Alan Orlandi (Empoli)**, Diego Perillo (Atalanta)*, Mateo Santa Maria (Juventus)***, Achille Tigano (Como)**.

* Available from 21 to 29 September.
** Available from 29 September to 5 October.
*** Removed from the squad list on 21 September.

Staff – Head Coach: Daniele Franceschini; Assistant Coach: Marco Scarpa; Goalkeeping Coach: Francesco Antonioli; Fitness Coach: Roberto Ghielmetti; Match Analyst: Luca Federico; Team Doctor: Cristiano Benelli; Physiotherapist: Aldo Abbadia; Nutritionist: Giuseppe Cuzzocrea; Team Secretary: Guglielmo Cammino.