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Italy U16s played out an entertaining 4–4 draw against Denmark U16s in Viareggio, in the first of two friendly matches scheduled within four days. Watching from the stands was Silvio Baldini, head coach of Italy U21s and future interim coach of the senior national team for the June friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece. Also present were youth national teams coordinator Maurizio Viscidi and Daniele Franceschini, head coach of Italy U17s.
Denmark struck early through Tristan Kweku Freiesleben after four minutes, before Gabriele Borsa levelled for Italy in the 13th minute. The visitors regained control with goals from Louie Vinther Heriba and Johan Friis Mortensen, but Italy responded before the break thanks to a double from Federico Croci, assisted by Michele Elena and Borsa, to make it 3–3 at half-time. After the interval, Denmark went ahead again through Tobias Baden Ekstrand, but substitute Achille Cauli restored parity in the 72nd minute with a precise right-footed finish after earlier striking the crossbar.
Head coach Manuel Pasqual praised his team’s reaction: “We produced a performance full of character,” he said. “As I told the boys, there was a risk of completely losing control of the match, but instead we showed we are a team with a real spirit. We know we must improve defensively, but the reaction and the desire to keep attacking after making it 4–4 were very positive.”
Italy will face Denmark again on Friday at 11:00 CEST at the Centro di Preparazione Olimpica di Tirrenia, in the province of Pisa. Pasqual expects another demanding encounter, both physically and tactically.
MATCH: Italy lined up in their usual 4-3-1-2 formation, with Michele Elena operating behind the attacking duo of Gabriele Borsa and Federico Croci. Denmark responded with a 4-3-3, relying on the attacking trio of Louie Vinther Heriba, Tobias Baden Ekstrand and Johan Friis Mortensen.
The match at the Stadio Torquato Bresciani — which started 10 minutes late due to a logistical issue affecting the Danish team — opened with Denmark taking an early lead. Tristan Kweku Freiesleben headed home from a corner delivered by Christensen, catching goalkeeper Vischi at the near post in the 4th minute. Italy reacted immediately. After a double chance in the 9th minute — first through Borsa and then Elena — the equaliser arrived shortly afterwards. Borsa, played through by Scaglione, saw his initial right-footed attempt saved by Bille before converting the rebound with a header in the 13th minute. Denmark restored their advantage midway through the half. Heriba curled a fine left-footed effort into the net in the 23rd minute, before Mortensen struck with a precise low drive in the 32nd to make it 3-1. Italy, however, refused to back down and drew level before the break thanks to Croci’s brace. The Fiorentina forward first converted Elena’s assist in the 34th minute, before finishing Borsa’s pass in first-half stoppage time (45’+1). Moments later, Italy nearly took the lead when Elena struck the post with a header from a cross delivered by Castagnoli.
The second half began with another setback for the Azzurrini, as Ekstrand restored Denmark’s lead in the 49th minute with a deft outside-of-the-foot finish that went in off the crossbar. After withstanding further Danish attempts — including efforts from Heriba and Mortensen — Italy pushed forward again. Substitute Achille Cauli came close in the 67th minute, latching onto Scaglione’s through ball and lifting a delicate lob onto the crossbar. The equaliser soon followed. In the 72nd minute, Cauli received the ball from Croci, steadied himself and fired a precise right-footed diagonal finish past the Danish goalkeeper to make it 4-4. In the closing stages, Italy nearly completed their comeback. Croci forced a low save from Bille with a powerful effort, while deep into stoppage time goalkeeper Vischi produced a crucial intervention to deny Denmark and preserve the draw.
The match ended Italy 4–4 Denmark, a thrilling encounter full of goals and drama in Viareggio.