After a thumping 7-0 win in their opener against Liechtenstein, the U19s fell to a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in Borås (Sweden) on matchday 2 in Group 4 of the first phase of Euro qualifying. The was scored by the 2005-born striker Calixte Paul Ligue Junior (66’), who had been on the pitch for just three minutes after replacing Swiss captain and FC Zürich teammate Bajrami.

“It was a game where nothing went our way,” said Head Coach Bernardo Corradi. “The lads were excellent. In 20 years as a player and six years as a coach, I don’t think I can remember a game like that: we hit the woodwork five times (through Vacca, Ciammaglichella, Di Maggio, Chiarodia and Romano, Ed.).”

On Tuesday 21 November (13:00 CET), Italy will return to action at the Borås Arena against Sweden, who will face Liechtenstein this evening (18:00 CET).

Italy 0-1 Switzerland

Goal: 66' Ligue.

Italy (4-3-1-2): Magro; Palestra, Amey, Chiarodia, Bartesaghi; Ciammaglichella (76' Romano), Lipani (C) (77' Ripani), Di Maggio; Zeroli (76' Cisse); Pafundi, Vacca (67' Anghelè).
Substitutes: Marin (GK), Ripani, Corradi C., Magni, Comuzzo, Mannini.
Head Coach: Bernardo Corradi.

Switzerland (3-4-3): Huber; Henchoz, Ogbus, Ngonzo; Deme (51' Kessler), Xhemalija, Marques, Walker (80' Ouattara); Manzambi (81' Abdeljaoued), Bajrami (C) (63' Ligue), Zé (63' Krasniqi).
Substitutes: Emch (GK), Seiler, Rizvanović, Lüthi.
Head Coach: Ilija Borenovic.

Notes: 15' Xhemalija (S), 48' Bartesaghi (I), 73' Manzambi (S) and 77' Walker (S) booked.
Added time: 2', 5'.
Corners: 11-0.

UEFA European Under-19 Championship 

Qualifying Round

Group 4: ITALY, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Switzerland.

Matchday 1 (15 November)

ITALY 7-0 Liechtenstein
Switzerland 2-1 Sweden

Matchday 2 (18 November)
ITALY 0-1 Switzerland
18:00 CET – Sweden vs. Liechtenstein (Borås Arena in Borås)

Table: Switzerland 6 points, ITALY 3, Sweden and Liechtenstein 0.

Matchday 3 (21 November)
18:00 CET – Sweden vs. ITALY (Borås Arena in Borås)
18:00 CET – Liechtenstein vs. Switzerland (Hisingen Arena in Gothenburg)