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It was the first loss of the season for Daniele Franceschini’s U17s, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Serbia at the Estádio Municipal da Coutada in Arcos de Valdevez, in the second game of the friendly tournament in Portugal, following a 2-1 win in their opener, against the hosts, in Viana do Castelo. The Azzurrini got in front in the 11th minute thanks to Monza forward Rosindo Zanni’s penalty, before the Serbians turned it around through Nebojsa Grujić’s brace, with goals in the 25th and 50th minute.

The head coach commented, "The result states that we lost, but I don’t want to dwell on technical or tactical aspects. I would rather focus on the team’s mentality, which lacked a bit today against a formidable opponent. We must make the most of these games and use them to grow and improve, trying to understand what doesn’t work and intervening to correct it. I believe that you grow most of all through errors.”

Italy will be back in action on Tuesday 9 September (10:00 local time, 11:00 CEST) at the Estádio Municipal Manuela Machado in Viana do Castelo, to face Scotland, who won 3-2 against hosts Portugal today.

Schedule

Matchday 1 (Thursday 4 September)
Portugal 1-2 ITALY
Scotland 0-2 Serbia

Matchday 2 (Saturday 6 September)
Portugal 2-3 Scotland
ITALY 1-2 Serbia

Standings: Serbia 6, ITALY 3, Scotland 3, Portugal 0.

Matchday 3 (Tuesday 9 September)
10:00 local time (11:00 CEST): ITALY vs. Scotland, Estádio Municipal Manuela Machado in Viana do Castelo
11:00 local time (12:00 CEST): Portugal vs. Serbia, Complexo Desportivo in Fão