TRIESTE (ITALPRESS) – The Italian U21 national team settled for a 1-1 draw against Ireland in the match at the Nereo Rocco stadium in Trieste and clinched qualification for the European Championship 2025: Cesare Casadei’s early lead was answered by Andrew Moran. The visiting lineup immediately starts with a very high pressing, aware that they have only one result at their disposal to try to hit the top spot in Group A. Crawford’s boys initially put the Azzurrini in trouble, and at 17′ Desplanches threatened to combine the omelet, letting the ball slip through his fingers on Kenny’s header: the latter tried to put the ball back into the net, but Bertola made a providential save. After a second indecision by the Italian goalkeeper, at 23′ the Azzurri materialized a perfect counterattack with Cesare Casadei, who, on Gnonto’s suggestion, drew the corner and scored the winning goal. Italy tried to ride the positive momentum and at 36′ managed to win a penalty kick for a foul by MacNulty on Baldanzi: Gnonto went to the penalty spot, but he kicked to the stars and wasted a colossal chance for the double. In the second half, Ireland relied on some fresh forces to try to turn things around and, after some interesting initiatives, managed to grab the equalizer at 66′ with a precise right-footer by Andrew Moran on an assist from Emakhu. At 76′ Mattia Zanotti starred in a bad injury and head coach Carmine Nunziata was forced to replace him, sending in Turicchia. The Irish tried everything in the final, but the Azzurrini managed to defend the 1-1 until the triple whistle, even touching the winning goal on a counterattack. By virtue of this result, Italy U21 closes in first place in Group A with 22 points and qualifies for the European Championship 2025, while Ireland slips to third place with 19 points. Norway, in fact, beating Turkey 5-1 takes second place with 19 points, thanks to the direct clash in their favor.- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
