PHOTO
FLORENCE, ITALY - JANUARY 25: Emanuele Rao of Italy U17 and Dani Budesca of Spain U17 in action during the International Friendly match between Italy U17 and Spain U17 on January 25, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Emanuele RaoDani Budesca
The Under-17 National Team fell to a 2-1 defeat against Spain in today’s friendly at Coverciano. Despite the defeat, there were many positives for the Azzurrini to take with the Elite Round of Euro qualifying in mind. Rao gave Italy an 18th-minute lead as he finished off a quick counter-attack that also involved Romano and Ravaglioli, the latter of whom provided the assist. With Rao having missed a big chance to double the Azzurrini’s advantage, Spain equalised in the 24th minute through Marcos after the Italy defence had failed to adequately deal with a long ball forward from the opposition goalkeeper. The Azzurrini were awarded a 33rd-minute penalty as Ravaglioli was fouled in the box. The same player stepped up but was unable to beat Jimenez from twelve yards out, meaning it remained 1-1. After a host of changes, Spain completed the turnaround after 67 minutes, with Castell making the most of De Sole’s mistake at the back. Italy, who hit the bar through Crapisto in second-half stoppage time, were unable to find an equaliser that they would have deserved.
Head Coach Bernardo Corradi had the following to say after the game: "A game like this is much more intense and challenging for the lads than a hundred other types of training camps. It’s always disappointing to lose, but the guys produced a great performance. We had chances and kept hold of the ball for large spells of the match. I liked the team’s attitude and the fact that the lads never gave up and always tried to play."
Next up for the U17s is a friendly double-header against France (21 and 23 February), after which the team will depart for Cyprus for the next stage of Euro qualifying. This will see the Azzurrini face Ukraine, the Republic of Ireland and the hosts between 7 and 13 March as they look to progress to the finals, which are scheduled to take place between 17 May and 2 June in Hungary.
Italy 1-2 Spain
ITALY: Plaia (56’ Tommasi); Ventre (46’ Magni), Verde (46’ Tosto), De Sole, Pagnucco (46’ Bonanomi); Mendicino, Riccio (46’ Cocchi), Mannini (46’ Finocchiaro); Romano (46’ Crapisto); Rao (46’ Scotti), Ravaglioli (46’ De Pieri). Head Coach: Corradi
SPAIN: Jimenez (46’ Arbol); Budesca (57’ Aznar), Martìn (65’ Cubarsì), Olmedo, Aznou (46’ Prim); Arredondo (46’ Castell), Garcia (46’ Martinez); Diaz (65’ Arcos), Marcos (65’ Konig), Huestamendia (46’ Munoz – 87’ Boakyie); Guiu (59’ Esteban). Head Coach: Guerrero
REFEREE: Emmanuele. Assistants: Toce and De Vito. Fourth Official: Andreano
GOALS: 18’ Rao, 24’ Marcos, 67’ Castell
NOTES – Ravaglioli’s penalty saved by Jimenez (33’). Booked: Mendicino, Guiu, De Pieri
Squad list
Goalkeepers: Francesco Tommasi (Inter), Francesco Plaia (Spezia);
Defenders: Matteo Cocchi (Inter), Fabio De Sole (Torino), Vittorio Magni (Milan), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus), Lorenzo Tosto (Empoli), Alessandro Ventre (Juventus), Francesco Verde (Juventus);
Midfielders: Francesco Crapisto (Juventus), Andrea Bonanomi (Atalanta), Gabriele Finocchiaro (Juventus), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Leonardo Mendicino (Atalanta), Lorenzo Riccio (Atalanta), Marco Romano (Genoa);
Forwards: Giacomo De Pieri (Inter), Emanuele Rao (Spal), Tommaso Ravaglioli (Bologna), Filippo Scotti (Milan).
Staff: Head Coach: Bernardo Corradi; Delegation Head: Filippo Corti; National Youth Team Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Assistant Coach: Massimiliano Favo; Goalkeeper Coach: Davide Quironi; Fitness Coach: Adalberto Zamuner; Match Analyst: Andrea Loiacono; Doctors: Alessio Rossato and Francesco Maria Nifosì; Nutritionist: Claudio Pecorella; Physiotherapist: Enrico Matera; Secretary: Massimo Petracchini.