PHOTO
The Under-16 team’s season ends in the best possible way, with a trophy. Italy U16, under Manuel Pasqual, drew 1-1 with hosts Portugal U16 before winning 4-3 on penalties at the Municipal Stadium of Macedo de Cavaleiros, in front of over 1,500 fans, to lift the UEFA Development Tournament. The Portuguese side featured Cristiano Júnior, Cristiano Ronaldo’s son, in the starting lineup.
After a 0–0 first half, Portugal took the lead three minutes from time (87’) through Benfica defender Tomás Pedrosa, before Italy equalised in the third of six added minutes (90’+3) thanks to Lazio playmaker Michele Elena.
From the penalty spot, after an initial miss by Nicola Cappellato (Atalanta), the following players scored in order: Maximilian Donner (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Giuseppe Pipitò (Juventus), Mattia Barbone (Fiorentina), and Lorenzo Bernamonte (Fiorentina). The victory for the Azzurri was sealed by Umberto Costante (Inter), who saved the fourth and fifth Portuguese penalties, taken by Leonardo Damião (Sporting CP) and Gonçalo Fontes (Porto).
“I’m really happy for the boys,” said coach Manuel Pasqual. “Not just because they won the tournament, but because of the mentality and identity they showed in every game. Today, given the pressure of playing a decisive match against the hosts, we didn’t play our usual clean technical football, but we never gave up for a second and found a goal deep into stoppage time with Michele (Elena), a player with an incredible story (last season he was playing for Real Latina, an amateur club in Lazio). I’m proud of all the 2010-born players who took part this year. From the start of the season to now, thanks to the work of the entire staff, we’ve managed to give them a strong mentality and identity, which I hope they’ll carry forward in their careers, both at club and international level. I also want to thank everyone, from the coordinators (Maurizio Viscidi and Daniele Zoratto) to the kit staff, the secretary, and anyone who spent time with us this season. The calm environment we built together, also thanks to their support, helped the players feel at home and allowed us to get these results (10 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses, 47 goals scored and 26 conceded in 19 matches). We’ve closed a chapter.”
SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Umberto Costante (Inter), Filippo Rondelli (Atalanta);
Defenders: Mattia Barbone (Fiorentina), Giuseppe Cafasso (Lecce), Daniel Ethan Colombo (Virtus Entella), Lorenzo Damonte (Genoa), Alessandro Ghiotto (Juventus), Raphael Libero Mazzotta (Juventus), Jeff Odje (Atalanta), Alberto Samà (Juventus);
Midfielders: Lorenzo Bernamonte (Fiorentina), Nicola Cappellato (Atalanta)*, Edoardo Rastello (Torino), Roberto Scaglione (Genoa), Gabriele Tufaro (Juventus);
Forwards: Achille Cauli (Como), Maximilian Donner (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Michele Elena (Lazio), Giuseppe Pipitò (Juventus), Filippo Serantoni (Inter)**.
*called up on 14 May to replace unavailable Cristian Norelli (Cremonese).
**called up on 16 May to replace unavailable Mattia Niccolò Barzagli (Fiorentina).
Staff – Coach: Manuel Pasqual; Assistant coach: Matteo Barella; Goalkeeping coach: Davide Quironi; Fitness coach: Luca Coppari; Match analyst: Nicolò Tolin; Doctors: Gabriele Altavilla and Riccardo Capitani; Nutriotionist: Filippo Maria Perricelli; Physiotherapist: Luca De Marchi; Secretary: Fabio Ferappi.
UEFA Development Tournament
Single group: Czechia, Greece, ITALY, Portugal
Matchday 1 (Tuesday 19 May)
ITALY 5-1 Greece
Portugal 2-0 Czechia
Matchday 2 (Thursday 21 May)
Portugal 3-0 Greece
Matchday 3 (Sunday 24 May)
Portugal 1-1 ITALY, 4-5 on penalties
Czechia 3-0 Greece
Standings: ITALY 7, Portugal 7, Czechia 3, Greece 0