Italy Under-21 overcame the Republic of Ireland U21 1-0 on Tuesday night at the Stadio Romeo Menti, continuing their 100 per cent start to the Euro U21 2017 qualifiers.
It was an uneventful 45 minutes before Vittorio Parigini opened the scoring before the hour mark. The Italians were then reduced to ten men after Federico Bernardeschi was sent off for dissent.
There was little in terms of exciting play in the opening 15 minutes until the Irish nearly scored through some excellent teamwork but Jack Byrne’s final effort was deflected out for a corner.
A few minutes later, they threatened the Italian goal again with a header from Conor Wilkinson but Alessio Cragno managed to tip it over the bar, before the referee ruled it to be a foul on the defender by Wilkinson.
Federico Bernadeschi had the first real chance of the second half for the Azzurrini but he dragged his shot wide at the end of a run into the penalty area.
The deadlock was finally broken through Vittorio Parigberini when he controlled a through ball well in the air and then slotted it into the back of the Irish net to put Luigi Di Biagio’s side a goal ahead.
There was then confusion after Danilo Cataldi was booked but a red card was then brandished for Bernadeschi, which was on second viewing revealed to be due to his protests against Cataldi’s booking.
Ireland came close to equalising soon afterwards but Sean Kavanagh’s effort flew wide of the post and a good chance was gone.
A spectacular effort nearly provided an amazing equaliser when Callum O’Dowda tried his luck from range and beat Cragno in goal but the curling effort went just wide.
The victory for the Italians means they sit in joint second place in Group 2 of the Euro U21 qualifying with Ireland.
