Italy U21 overcame their Belgian counterparts 1-0 on Monday evening in the Euro 2015 Qualification match.
The Azzurrini raced into the lead after just three minutes thanks to a Cristian Battocchio header.
With Luigi Di Biagio’s men looking for revenge after being defeated 3-1 by the home side in Rieti in September, they were quick out the blocks and got their reward right away.
Federico Viviani swing the ball in from a corner on the right and Watford’s Battocchio headed home to give the away side the lead.
Viviani was once again in the thick of the action as his freekick forced a good save from Colin Coosemans in the Belgium goal.
Italy were the dominant side in the opening period, though were lucky to keep their lead with Michy Batshuayi downward header bouncing over the bar when it looked easier to score.
Meanwhile, Andrea Belotti should have doubled the Italians’ advantage when he was through, one-on-one with Coosemans, but he failed to make it count.
After the break, the game stagnated a bit, but for an amazing save from Francesco Bardi to deny Paul-José Mpoku.
Italy now sit in second place in Group 9, but have two games in hand on the Belgians who are six points clear at the top.
