Matchday 5 of Italy’s qualifying campaign for the 2017 European Under-21 Championships saw the Azzurrini breeze past Lithuania 2-0 at the Stadio Teofilo Patini, securing their spot at the top of Group 2.
Domenico Berardi opened the scoring less than two minutes into the match and captain Marco Benassi doubled the lead before the break.
Italy were pressuring right from the first minute and after Lithuania failed to adequately clear a free kick, the ball found its way to Berardi who rifled a volley past the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas.
Italy were brimming with confidence and nearly made it two after 16 minutes in stylistic fashion. Federico Bernardeschi created some space for himself in the box with a delightful drag-back and played it square for Gaetano Monachello, the Atalanta forward’s backheel failed to find the target.
The Azzurrini doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when Lithuania centre-back Lukas Artimavicius embarrassingly fluffed his clearance attempt, allowing Benassi to unleash a first-time scorcher that cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar.
Lithuania’s best chance of the first half came two minutes later when Lukas Spalvis ballooned his volley over the crossbar from eight yards after some good work down the right from Deimantas Petravicius.
The visitors played some sloppy football and a giveaway by Julius Aleksandravicius to Monachello found its way to Rolando Mandragora whose effort could not trouble the goalkeeper.
Italy were turning up the pressure and a cross from Davide Calabria was flicked on by Benassi to Bernardeschi whose first-time shot was well-saved by Gertmonas.
Lithuania began the second half on the front foot with efforts from Karolis Silkaitis and Simonas Stankevicius blocked and saved, respectively.
In the 58th minute a Benassi pass was nicely dummied by Berardi to Monachello but the Atalanta man’s low drive was turned away by Gertmonas.
Bernardeschi showcased some impressive dribbling skills with twenty minutes remaining, turning two defenders before unleashing a left-foot strike that crashed against the near post.
Soon after Bernardeschi played Benassi through on goal but his shot was straight at the onrushing Gertmonas.
The remaining fifteen minutes were played with Italy in comfortable possession, content to just distribute the ball amongst themselves.
With Serbia’s 2-0 defeat to Slovenia, Italy have taken sole possession of first place in Group 2 with half the fixtures now completed.
