Azzurrini already eyeing new challenges

Italy's Under-17 players were already looking to the future after their 2-0 loss to Germany which denied them a UEFA European Under-17 Championship final spot.

Goalkeeper Mattia Perin recalled their impressive first-half display but said he is already eyeing a better outcome in the FIFA U-17 World Cup from 24 October until 15 November in Nigeria because "this is how the Italian spirit is: we think we can win each and every time".

Despite playing against the host nation, a team that had won all three of their games in the tournament, Italy were not overawed.

Azzurrini strikers Giacomo Beretta and Simone Dell'Agnello both spurned great chances during the opening 40 minutes as Italy did their best to silence the home crowd in Dessau-Rosslau. However, Pasquale Salerno's side tired after the break and two goals in the last ten minutes sealed their fate.

Perin, who put in a committed performance after returning from suspension, said: "They were not superior. Hence, we were the ones who had more scoring opportunities in the first half. We thought we had a grip on this game."

As Beretta limped his way off the pitch because of cramp, Italy's physical woes became noticeable. Only a minute later, Germany broke the deadlock and according to Torino centre-back Simone Benedetti "the difference was related to athletic condition. In the second part of the second half our team was a little bit tired and so they were stronger and tougher on the ball and we think that was the real difference between the sides."

Though he expected more, Perin found reasons for optimism. "I am sad because we wanted to win this tournament," the Genoa goalkeeper said. "With the squad we had we could have gone further and actually won it. Nevertheless we are happy because ending third or fourth in Europe is not an easy feat."

Italy qualified for the tournament after a four-year drought and helped oust the two 2008 finalists in the group stage, drawing with Spain 0-0 and defeating France 2-1.

Benedetti underlined the importance of such a competition and is already looking for more of the same.

"It was a really enjoyable experience for a guy of my age," he said. "And I would like to repeat this experience, perhaps at the Under-19s in two years' time. I would love to do it again."

His goalkeeper did not seem ready to wait until the 2011 U19 finals which, it was announced this week, will be held in Romania. Perin's eyes are already set on Nigeria.

"Now we can't wait to play in the World Cup. We think we can win because this is how the Italian spirit is: we think we can win each and every time."

Source: UEFA