Four goals, three points, three wins. In front of 4200 spectators in Cesena, the U21s beat Sweden 4-0 to remain top of their Euro qualifying group on maximum points. The victory was sealed by a brace from Niccolò Pisilli and two penalties converted by Francesco Camarda (a Panenka) and local lad Tommaso Berti (after his teammates had handed him the ball), both making their Under-21 debuts. Italy now sit on nine points, level with Poland, who defeated Montenegro 2-0. Silvio Baldini’s side will return to action against Armenia at the Stadio Giovanni Zini in Cremona at 18:15 CEST on Tuesday 14 October.

POST-MATCH COMMENTS. “This is a tight-knit group. We’re happy to be together and able to laugh, joke and work,” said Baldini. “The gesture for Berti’s penalty? That brings me even more joy than the win itself. This squad is full of talent, but we mustn’t stop here. Talent needs to be nurtured through hard work, but above all with the right mindset. Camarda’s penalty? Everyone is free to take it how they like: I personally hate those kinds of penalties, but if someone feels confident enough to do it, then it’s only right that they do. I don’t put pressure on the lads: I explain the match to them and want them to show how good they are, without holding back.”

Camarda also spoke after the game: “I’m absolutely delighted, especially because we really are a great group. We have fun out there. As for the goal, I’m very happy and, as I always say, this is just a starting point that motivates me to keep improving day by day. As for the penalty, it’s the kind of risk a player takes, but I’m an instinctive player. It went well and I’m happy it did.”

Either side of Camarda, Pisilli was the one who found the net: “Full marks to the team. If I scored twice, it’s thanks to everyone. We all played really well together and I’m pleased. Personally, I always focus on working hard and improving day by day whenever the coach puts me on the pitch, whether that’s with the national team or Roma. I’m always the same and I try to give 100%.”

THE MATCH. Palmisani started in goal for Italy, with Cherubini and Koleosho flanking Camarda up front and Lipani pulling the strings in midfield. Camarda had Italy’s first chance – one of many – but his left-footed strike was beaten away by Antwi. The Azzurrini opened the scoring in the twelfth minute thanks to a low driven effort from Pisilli that left Bishesari with no chance. The Roma midfielder almost made it two soon after, rattling the post before Cherubini twice went close in the follow-up.

Italy doubled their lead in the 38th minute. Camarda first earned a penalty after being brought down by Makolli, after which he converted it with a cheeky Panenka – much to the delight of the crowd at the Dino Manuzzi. The same player went close again shortly after with a curling effort that finished inches off target, but Italy’s third arrived before half-time anyway: Pisilli was the one who scored it after being teed up from the right by the unstoppable Palestra.

With the game more or less over, the Azzurrini came close to a fourth through Camarda – hitting the post for the second time that evening – and again through Pisilli. Baldini then brought on Pafundi, Berti and Ekhator, followed by Fini and Dagasso. Palmisani earned his share of the spotlight late on, thwarting Kusi-Asare and then Kurtulus. But in stoppage time came the most memorable moment of the match: Italy were awarded a second penalty of the night, and the squad insisted that Berti – born in Cesena and a player for his hometown club – should take it. Tommaso duly made no mistake from twelve yards out.


ITALY 4-0 SWEDEN
ITALY (4-3-3): Palmisani; Palestra, Marianucci, Mane, Bartesaghi; Pisilli (72' Ekhator), Lipani, Ndour (83' Dagasso); Cherubini (72' Pafundi), Camarda (72' Berti), Koleosho (83' Fini). Substitutes: Martinelli, Idrissi, Dellavalle, Fortini. Head Coach: Baldini
SWEDEN (4-3-3): Bishesari; Antwi, Makolli, Zatterstrom, Perez Vinlof; Bjorklund, Thorell (46' Kurtulus), Boudri (85' Tolf); Njie (62' Kusi-Asare), Swedberg (62' Kanga), Sonko (62' Ayari). Substitutes: Picornell, Bergvall, Samuelsson, Karlsson. Head Coach: Backstrom
Referee: Jollenbeck (Germany). Assistants: Gunsch-Weickenmeier (Germany). Fourth official: Reichel (Germany)
Goals: 12' and 45+3' Pisilli, 40' pen. Camarda, 90+3' pen. Berti
Note: Boudri (S) and Berti (I) booked