EMPOLI (ITALPRESS) – An entertaining friendly and 2-2 final between Italy and France Under 21 at Castellani in Empoli. Azzurrini ahead by two goals with Casadei and Ambrosino in the first half, but then reached by the opponents with Cherki, a talent from Lyon, on the shields. Positive, however, the performance of the squad coached by Carmine Nunziata in front of one of the most talented teams in the category. It was France that made the match from the start with transalpine coach Baticle sending out a very young experimental eleven, including 2007 Bouaddi, gifted with great quality. After a save by Desplanches on Cherki, the Azzurrini went through on 16′. Nice action on the left by Ndour who took advantage of an insertion by Gnonto who served an assist to Casadei who beat Restes. The guests’ reaction took a while to materialize but at 26′ it took another decisive intervention by Desplanches on Tchaouna’s conclusion to deflect the ball over the crossbar. Italy doubled Italy’s lead at 44′ when Volpato got all the way to the back line and served a perfect assist to Ambrosino who put into the net. Italy, though lacking in physical condition compared to their opponents, benefited from a midfield that was able to magnetize almost every ball. Twice at the beginning of the second half Gnonto went close to the Azzurri’s tic-tac-toe, but first his roundabout conclusion went just wide, then the Leeds striker missed by a whisker on Casadei’s assist. At a distance the quality of Agoume and his teammates emerges, and it is no coincidence that France shortens the gap just before the hour mark with Cherki on an assist from the right by Sildillia. The two coaches in the final 30′ give space to various men from their respective benches with Nunziata in particular choosing Fabbian for Volpato and Esposito for Ambrosino. Decisive, however, is Antagana’s entry for the transalpines to make it 2-2 at 65′ with Cherki again instrumental in providing the right ball for his teammate. Also among the players taking the field for France was Parma’s Bonny, dangerous at 68′ with a right-footed shot out by a whisker, while Bertola took the place of Pirola, who suffered a left knee injury that will have to be evaluated. In the final beautiful chance for Fabbian, but Restes says no and so it comes to the director’s triple whistle on 2-2 to final.- Image Photo -(ITALPRESS).
