Italy Under-18s recorded their third victory in as many friendlies in Croatia. After beating Chile 2-1 last Saturday and coming from behind to defeat Denmark 3-1 in Samobor on Tuesday, Daniele Franceschini’s Azzurrini overcame Saudi Arabia 2-0 in Nedelišće. Fiorentina forward Federico Croci, born in 2010, converted a penalty before Torino defender Davide Gaffurini, one of the twelve players who joined the squad on 29 September, added the second goal.

“The result was positive, but the performance naturally highlighted both good aspects and others that we need to work on to improve further,” said Franceschini. “We lacked composure in possession, particularly in and around the penalty area, and did not make enough of the amount of play we produced. It was a high-intensity match featuring plenty of physical challenges, similar to what we can expect at the World Cup (19 November to 13 December in Qatar, ed.), where we want to be ready. With that in mind, today gave us the opportunity to look at some new players who could broaden our options. Beyond the positive results, which are always pleasing, I am very satisfied with the players’ attitude. They continually show that they enjoy being together and are united by a strong sense of purpose.”

Italy will return to action in Samobor against Hungary on Monday 5 October at 10:30 CEST for their final scheduled friendly. “We will rotate the squad in the next match because we want to give everyone the opportunity to show what they can do,” the Head Coach concluded. “Everything is in place for us to continue performing well.”

 

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)**, Ikenna Miracle Nwagwu (Fiorentina)****, 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 on 21 September.
****Added to the squad on 29 September.

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