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The Women’s Under-17 National Team opened their season with a 2-1 win over Hungary, with goals from Martina Battocchio and Federica Faggioli, taking the first of two friendlies at the Olympic Preparation Centre in Tirrenia. Despite the victory, Priscilla Del Prete was not satisfied with her side’s performance: “Honestly, I expect much more from this team,” said the Tuscan coach, who made her Under-17 debut after leading the Under-16 National Team last season. With less than a month to go before the Round 1 of the European Championship, the Azzurrine will travel to Norway from 7 to 13 October to face the hosts as well as Austria and Northern Ireland.
“Right now, I’m not interested in the result at all,” Del Prete stressed. “These two friendlies will lead us into the first qualifying phase of the European Championship and they have to help us work on our principles. Conceding counter-attacks is part of the game, but we need to be cleaner in our build-up play and attacking moves.”
A ONE-SIDED FIRST HALF. High pressing and winning the ball back in the opposition half were the hallmarks of an Italy side intent on taking control of the game, with as many as eight players pushing up around the Hungarian penalty area. Chances came thick and fast, from De Clemente’s effort from the edge of the box, held by Csiky, to Ferraro’s wide header and Occhipinti’s long-range effort that struck the post. Much of Italy’s play went through Crotti and Battocchio, and the pair combined to create the opening goal: Crotti won a penalty with an incredible dribble, which the Juventus midfielder Battocchio converted calmly to score the new Under-17 National Team’s first goal of the season. A minute later, Federica Faggioli doubled Italy’s lead, pouncing on an error in Hungary’s build-up and beating Csiky with a fine curling right-footed effort. With Italy heavily committed to attack, it was inevitable that Hungary would find some opportunities on the counter, and in the 43rd minute, during one of their rare forays into the Italian penalty area, Oleksza pulled one back from the penalty spot after Occhipinti was penalised for handball. Italy came close to restoring their two-goal lead before half-time, but Saragoni’s acrobatic backheel from Ferraro’s cross struck the crossbar.
EVERYONE GETS A CHANCE. Priscilla Del Prete made ten changes at half-time, but the pattern of the game remained unchanged, with Italy completely in control and Hungary struggling to get out of their own half. Yet the pressure failed to produce another goal, partly because of a slightly slow passing game and too many errors in the build-up. There were few clear-cut chances: Csiky produced an excellent save to deny Iiriti from close range, before Elshamy headed wide from a good position. In stoppage time, Csiky was called into action again, tipping Gavazza’s free-kick over the crossbar. Italy and Hungary will meet again in Tirrenia at 11:00 CEST on Thursday for another important test ahead of the Round 1 of the European Championship.
