2011 Toulon Youth Football Festival Semi-Final
France 1 Italy 0
Italy lost out in the semi-final of the annual Toulon tournament to a 61st minute goal from RC Lens forward Steeven Monrose.
The first five minutes of the game kept French keeper Franck L’Hostis very busy as he was forced to make a couple of saves and also saw a shot from Italian striker Alberto Paloschi hit the post.
Both teams kept possession well but Italy were looking the more threatening and L’Hostis was kept on his guard at all times.
Italy’s plan to keep the game narrow was paying off as the French wingers barely had a touch of the ball in the first 40 minutes. Unfortunately for Italy they could not turn possession and chances into goals despite having a number of set piece opportunities. Siena midfielder Luca Marrone came closest from a Fausto Rossi corner but his header flew wide of the keeper’s left hand post.
Perhaps thanking their lucky stars to be going in a half-time level the French decided to give Italy something to think about in the opening minutes of the second half.
Monrose forced a fine save from Sergio Viotti on 44 minutes as his left foot strike from 25 yards required strong hands from the Triestina shot-stopper. The French then confirmed their newfound intent by picking up a yellow card for a poor tackle on the influential Marco D’Alessandro. Nicolas Isimat Mirin was the guilty party but he didn’t seem to mind as the Livorno winger was in full flight and bearing down on two very worried looking French centre backs.
Italy coach, and former Juventus legend, Ciro Ferrara took off a limping Empoli midfielder Diego Fabbrini and brought on his club mate Riccardo Saponara to force more directness in the Azzurri’s play.
However, more half chances went begging before Monrose delivered what turned out to be the killer blow on 61 minutes as a breakaway move from the French caught the Italian defence out of position and the, up till then, ineffective Anthony Knockaert crossed beautifully to find Monrose unmarked in the centre of the penalty area. No one had picked up the danger man’s run and he headed home with ease to put the French in the driving seat.
Italy tried to respond but, as with the senior team the night before, failed to come up with any answers, although France needed L’Hostis to be on top form to deny Paloschi from point blank range in the dying moments.
France will go on to play Colombia in the Final on Friday as they beat Mexico 2-1 earlier in the day but, like his counterpart Cesare Prandelli, Ferrara will be left to reflect on what might have been.
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