The Under-15s faced a setback against China, losing 2–0 at the ‘Gino Colaussi’ municipal stadium in Gradisca d’Isonzo, in Gorizia, on matchday two of the group phase of the 22nd edition of the Torneo delle Nazioni.

Italy went behind after just two minutes when Ming Sha, centre-forward for Shimizu S-Pulse, made it 1-0. The situation worsened in the 10th minute when Leicester defender Rubens Nebatumbu inadvertently turned a dangerous Chinese attack, by the same No. 19, into his own net.

With this result, Enrico Battisti’s side drop to fifth place on 3 points (+1), level with North Macedonia (+2), China (+1), Scotland (-1) and Wales (-2).

“We paid a very high price for two early mistakes,” said the Azzurrin’s coach. “They forced us to chase the game and made us lose our composure. Even though we controlled the match despite our opponents’ disruptive approach, we unfortunately couldn’t get it back on track. As the minutes went by, frustration grew and we lost sharpness in front of goal in the chances we created.”

The Azzurrini will be back in action for the third and final group match on Wednesday (18:00 CEST) in Cervignano del Friuli, in Udine, against Romania, who today defeated Portugal 2-1 in Arnoldstein (Austria).

“I expect the team to react,” Battisti continued. “I want the players to overcome these difficulties, because giving up is not an option. We have another chance in two days, and I would like the team to show that today was just a setback and does not change what we’ve built over the course of the season.”

MATCH REPORT

Italy lined up in a 4-3-1-2 system, making only three changes from the team that defeated Wales 3-0 in their opening match two days earlier: Nebatumbu in defence, captain Nobile in midfield, and Cordopatri in attack. China opted for a 4-3-3, completely reshuffling the side that lost 2-1 to Slovenia in their debut on Saturday in Nova Gorica, with the exception of Huang, who remained central to their defence.

It was a shock start for the Azzurrini, who conceded after just two minutes. Sha timed his run on the edge of offside, took aim and, with his left foot, beat Minicucci to put China ahead. The visitors continued to press and doubled their lead in the 10th minute through an unfortunate own goal by Nebatumbu, who deflected in a cross from the ever-dangerous Sha delivered from a wide position. Despite the early setback, Battisti’s side did not lose faith and responded in the 13th minute, but Laruccia’s effort was comfortably saved by Song. Italy continued to push forward and came close in the 17th minute when Cordopatri headed just wide from a cross by Chieffallo. China remained compact and dangerous on the counter, and around the half-hour mark Sha was again denied by a timely defensive recovery from Mesecorto near the penalty spot. Italy replied moments later through Tilli, whose curling shot flew just over the bar. The first half ended 2-0 to China.

The second half saw several changes on both sides, with Italy going close in the 44th minute through captain Nobile from far out, but his effort was off-target. Five minutes later substitute Musah forced a save from Song with a header. China threatened again in the 62nd minute with a 25-metre free-kick from Zhang, well handled by Minicucci. In the closing stages, after Diofebo had a goal ruled out for offside in the 70th minute, China created the final chance of the match, but Liu’s dangerous shot, after coming on in the 56th minute, was saved by the Italian goalkeeper. After seven minutes of added time, confirmed by referee Dženan Mešković, the match ended 2-0 to China, leaving the Azzurrini with plenty of regrets.

Torneo delle Nazioni

Group stage (25–29 April): Austria, Czech Republic, China, Wales, ITALY, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia

Matchday 1 (Saturday 25 April)

13:00 CEST: Austria 2-2 Romania

15:30 CEST: Scotland 2-1 Montenegro

17:00 CEST: Portugal 2-2 Czech Republic

17:00 CEST: Slovenia 2-1 China

18:00 CEST: ITALY 3-0 Wales

18:00 CEST: Moldova 0-3 North Macedonia

Matchday 2 (Monday 27 April)

13:00 CEST: Czech Republic 2-1 Austria 

15:30 CEST: Montenegro 1-1 Moldova

17:00 CEST: Romania 2-1 Portugal 

17:00 CEST: Slovenia 2-0 Scotland

18:00 CEST: China 2-0 ITALY 

18:00 CEST: North Macedonia 1-2 Wales

Standings: Slovenia 6, Czech Republic 4 (+1), Romania 4 (+1), North Macedonia 3 (+2), China 3 (+1), ITALY 3 (+1), Scotland 3 (-1), Wales 3 (-2), Austria 1 (-1), Portugal 1 (-1), Montenegro 1 (-1), Moldova 1 (-3).

Matchday 3 (Wednesday 29 April)

11:00 CEST: Scotland vs. North Macedonia, Lignano Sabbiadoro (UD)

13:00 CEST: Austria vs. China, Hermagor-Pressegger See (Austria)

15:30 CEST: Moldova vs. Czech Republic, Portogruaro (VE)

17:00 CEST: Wales vs. Slovenia, Ajdovščina (Slovenia)

17:00 CEST: Portugal vs. Montenegro, Hermagor-Pressegger See (Austria)

18:00 CEST: ITALY vs. Romania, Cervignano del Friuli (UD)

Knockout stage

Finals (Friday 1 May)

11th place

11:00 CEST: 11th-placed group stage team vs 12th-placed group stage team

9th place

11:00 CEST: 9th-placed group stage team vs 10th-placed group stage team

7th place

11:00 CEST: 7th-placed group stage team vs 8th-placed group stage team

5th place

11:00 CEST: 5th-placed group stage team vs 6th-placed group stage team

3rd place

11:00 CEST: 3rd-placed group stage team vs 4th-placed group stage team

1st place

18:00 CEST: 1st-placed group stage team vs 2nd-placed group stage team, Gradisca d’Isonzo (GO)

 

NB: venues for the finals from 11th to 3rd place will be confirmed after the end of the group stage.