Italy U-21’s beat Slovenia U-21’s 1-0 at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore on Tuesday afternoon to start their Euro 2017 Qualification camp with a win.
The Azzurri ovecame their opponents courtesy of a penalty from Federico Bernadeschi in the second-half following a rather poor first-half performance.
The first chance of the match fell to Italy’s Kingsley Boateng, who found himself unmarked in the box but could only put his header from a Nicola Murru cross wide.
The Azzurri kept probing and eight minutes later Lazio midfielder Danilo Cataldi smashed a shot narrowly wide after the ball dropped nicely for him just outside the box.
After half an hour, Italy had their first clear-cut chance of the match. After a shot from Bernadeschi from just outside the box, the Slovenian goalkeeper could only palm it straight out to striker Gaetano Monacehllo but the forward’s finish lacked conviction, as he fired his shot straight back at the keeper.
After the first-half’s somewhat dire performance, Italy started the second-half like a house on fire and within the first 10 minutes won a penalty. Murru burst into the box but had his legs clipped by the Slovenian defender. Bernadeschi coolly slotted away the resulting spot-kick.
The Azzurri quickly went in search of a second and came close when, after a couple of deflections in the box, Bernadeschi had his shot cleared off the line. About 20 seconds later the Fiorentina forward had another low shot saved at the near post.
Rolando Mandragora really should have doubled Italy’s lead in the 73rd minute when he burst into the box, running on to a cross but his header, was straight at the goalkeeper.
The result gives the Under-21’s a positive start in their qualifying campaign and puts pressure on the Slovenians who have won both of their opening games.
