A winning start for Italy's Under-19 national team in Round 2 of European Championship qualifying. In Ancona, following a difficult and hard-fought encounter, particularly in the first half, Massimiliano Favo's side managed to claim all three points against Romania with a 2-0 victory. The result moves the Azzurrini closer to the third and decisive qualifying round, which will take place in March and feature the top three teams from each League A group. The match at the Stadio del Conero was decided by a defender: Juventus player Benit Borasio, who started out wide and scored both goals in the second half, each coming from a set piece. Italy will have its first opportunity to secure qualification on Saturday at 15:30 CET in Fano, where they will face Ukraine, who beat Israel 3-2 in Fermo earlier in the day.

FAVO “The opening games in a group are never easy,” said Favo, who was coaching in his hometown in front of his family. “We faced a very physical opponent who sat deep and defended in numbers. We're a team that likes to keep possession and play our way through, but in the end we managed to get the result thanks to two set pieces. We could have scored a few more goals, but the win was deserved and very important in a group consisting of just three matches. These three points give us confidence, enthusiasm and belief, and allow us to work well going forward.” 

THE MATCH With Mambuku suspended, Italy lined up with Maccaroni playing behind Arena and Lontani, who had joined the squad the previous evening after spending two days training at Coverciano with the senior national team. Italy almost fell behind after just 25 seconds, when Bota fired a powerful effort towards Anelli's goal, only to be denied by a superb goal-line clearance from Bovio. Having survived that early scare, the Azzurrini tried to push further up the pitch, but the game continued at a relatively slow pace. Romania defended well, closing down the spaces and looking to hit Italy on the counter. The hosts' only attempt on Mocan's goal came from Borasio, whose right-footed effort went narrowly wide.

The Juventus defender broke the deadlock just four minutes into the second half, making the most of Arena's knockdown before showing excellent composure to turn and beat Mocan inside the box. Romania, who had maintained a good level of intensity throughout the first half, began to tire as the game went on. Italy grew in confidence and started to take control, but missed a chance to double their lead in the 62nd minute when Lontani attempted to chip Mocan, only for the goalkeeper to stay on his feet and make the save. Mocan then produced another good stop to deny Arena in the 69th minute, before Steffanoni fired narrowly wide. The second goal eventually arrived in the 76th minute, with Borasio once again on target. The defender expertly turned Marello's right-sided corner towards the near post with a first-time finish. Italy came close to adding a third through Elimoghale, but Mocan made the save. Nevertheless, the 2-0 victory leaves the Azzurrini in a strong position heading into their remaining two group matches: Ukraine in Fano on Saturday, followed by Israel in Fermo on Tuesday, November 17th.

 

ITALY 2-0 ROMANIA (1-0 HT)

ITALY (4-3-1-2): Anelli; Borasio, Natali, Bovio, Marello; Steffanoni, Prisco (Wiafe 58'), Ballanti (Damiano 90'); Maccaroni (Liberal 90'); Arena (Elimoghale 71'), Lontani (Fogliaro 71'). Subs: Maran, Marini, De Paoli. Head coach: Favo

ROMANIA (4-4-2): Mocan; Gheorghe, Badarau, Cojocaru, Moisa; Bota (Pellegrini 65'), Coman (Batzula 65'), Draghici (Orban 65'), Precupanu (Luncasu 77'); Creta (Taroi 46'), Roates. Subs: Farcas, Ungureanu, Burlacu, Burlacu-Luca. Head coach: Ion

Referee: Lata (Albania). Assistant referees: Cenolli (Albania), Torregrossa (France). Fourth official: Vernice (France)

Goals: Borasio 49', 76'

Bookings: Coman (R), Badarau (R), Draghici (R), Arena (I)

TICKETS Admission to all Round 2 matches will be free, subject to presenting a named ticket, which can be downloaded from the Vivaticket website.

Download your free ticket for Italy-Ukraine
Download your free ticket for Israel-Italy

MEDIA ACCREDITATION Journalists, photographers and media operators wishing to cover the Under-19 European Championship qualifying Round 2 matches can request accreditation by emailing press@figc.it and m.calabresi@guest.figc.it, using the subject line ‘Under-19 National Team Media Accreditation’, by 18:00 on the day before each match. Alternatively, they can send a single email covering all the matches for which they are requesting accreditation.

UEFA UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 2
League A – Group A6
Matchday 1 – Wednesday, November 11th
Ukraine 3-2 Israel
ITALY 2-0 Romania

Standings: ITALY and Ukraine 3, Israel and Romania 0

Matchday 2 – Saturday, November 14th
12:00: Israel vs. Romania (Fermo)
13:30: ITALY vs.Ukraine (Fano), live on RaiPlay

Matchday 3 – Tuesday, November 17th
13:00: Israel vs. ITALY (Fermo), live on RaiSport
13:00: Romania vs. Ukraine (Ancona)