VENICE (ITALPRESS) – A big mockery that will have to give Italy Under-21s pause for thought ahead of the European Championships in June. At the “Penzo” in Venice, the Azzurrini lost 2-1 to a Netherlands left with nine men after the expulsions of Banzuzi at 62′ and Bogarde at 92′. Carmine Nunziata’s men responded to Fitz-Jim’s lead (19′) with Sebastiano Esposito’s penalty kick (54′) but were punished by Bruns’ goal in the second half, who had entered a few seconds earlier. The coach had asked his players to get into “the European perspective” right away.
In June in Slovakia (and next Monday against Denmark in Cittadella), however, something more will be needed in terms of lucidity under goal. Without Pio Esposito, top scorer of the Nunziata era with 7 goals in 11 games and absent due to a calf problem, the attack is entrusted to Gnonto, who wastes two scoring chances (at 14′ and 36′) and gets injured at 46′ (replaced by Sebastiano Esposito). Italy ended the first half down by one goal.
Credit to Fitz-Jim, who on 19′ took advantage of an assist from Poku and with his left in the center of the box beat Desplanches. At 44′, the Azzurrini came close to equalizing and did so with Baldanzi who kicked with his left footer and forced Owusu-Oduro to clear with his fists. The 1-1 goal is postponed at 53′: Doku knocks down Palestra in the box and prompts the referee to award the penalty. From the eleven meters came Sebastiano Esposito, who kicked hard and centrally and scored his first goal in the Under-21 shirt.
At 56′ another chance: Miretti swerves into the box, seats an opponent but with his left finds the providential deflection of Goes. The game changed for good six minutes later: Banzuzi intervened discomposedly on Baldanzi and was sent off. The Netherlands (which also fields Valente, who was born in Groningen but summoned to the Azzurri youth teams in past years) suffers another red at 93′, when Bogarde receives a double yellow.
Italy pushed for the goal, but was punished: at 94′ Ohio led a counterattack and served the ball to Bruns, who had entered just moments earlier and was polished in taking the winning shot. Monday against Denmark will be another test to put the Venice mockery behind them.
– IPA Agency photo –
(ITALPRESS)
