Italy U21 0-1 Denmark U21: Azzurrini lacking as visitors steal win

Date: 18th November 2014 at 3:51am
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Italy U21 v Denmark U21 - International FriendlyItaly U21 hosted Denmark U21 in Matera on Monday in a friendly that finished 1-0 to the visitors.

Both sides wasted a fair amount of good opportunities, with Italy’s Samuele Longo and Marcello Trotta forcing good saves after Youssef Toutouh squandering a one-on-one for the Danes. Nevertheless, a late blow from substitute Nicolai Brock-Madsen gave the victory to the visitors.

In front a packed Stadio XXI Settembre, it was Denmark who began well by looking to get in behind Italy, causing nervy moments as a left-wing cross trickled across Francesco Bardi’s six-yard-box and was cleared.

The hosts then began to gain territorial advantage, eventually producing a fierce effort from Andrea Berlotti that flew wide from 25 yards.

Coach Luigi Di Biagio claimed pre-match that this was far from a friendly, and as the Mexican waves rang around the stadium, the atmosphere was very much uncompetitive. Perhaps to implement some fight into the match, Davide Zappacosta earned a booking for a dangerous lunging tackle, which was arguably due more than a yellow card in a competitive fixture.

The half-hour mark passed with Danish pressure building, but a lack of end product was epitomised by Toutouh’s tame shot. Italy’s only chances were on the counter, including efforts from Lorenzo Crisetig and Samuele Longo.

Seeing out the first period with some decent attacking play, Italy’s Domenico Berardi forced a good save from AC Horsens keeper Jakob Jensen with a stinging shot.

The second-half began brightly for the Azzurrini, Longo played through on goal after a skilful one-two, but the Cagliari striker poked the ball straight at the goalkeeper- the resulting corner led to Berlotti shooting over from close-range.

The to and fro nature of the second half saw the Red and Whites come close from set-piece opportunities and Italy U21s threaten through substitute Marcello Trotta, whose close-range snapshot was tipped over by keeper Jensen.

With chances drying up, both managers made several substitutions to grab a late win, but stoppages disrupted the flow of an encounter that begged for a goal.

That was provided by Brock Madsen after Marco Benassi’s missed tackle, allowed the Randers striker to run at goal while holding off Edoardo Goldaniga and drive a low shot into the far corner.

All Italy could do was huff and puff around in the remaining minutes, as Jess Thorup’s side sat in for a pleasing win ahead of June’s European Under-21 Championships.

 

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