[Euro U17] Italy 1-3 Switzerland

Switzerland took control of UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group A with a 3-1 defeat of ten-man Italy in Torgau.

The game was evenly balanced until Azzurrini goalkeeper Mattia Perin was sent off just before the half-hour mark for a professional foul on Nassim Ben Khalifa. Although Kofi Nimeley converted comfortably, Giacomo Beretta replied immediately for Italy.

However, second-half goals from full-backs Andre Goncalves and Janick Kamber gave Switzerland the three points, first place in the section and a berth at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria later this year.

Italy were into their stride quickly and carved out the game's first chance in the fifth minute. Stephan El Sharaawy worked some space outside the penalty area and forced Benjamin Siegrist into a fine save. Switzerland were creating opportunities of their own, though, and took the lead in the 29th minute.

Haris Seferovic spun his marker and split the Italy back line to find Ben Khalifa, who took it past Perin only to be brought down by the Italy goalkeeper. Nimeley stroked the penalty past replacement custodian Francesco Bardi but within two minutes Italy were level when Marco Fossati released Beretta, who lifted the ball over Siegrist with aplomb.

The second period started with Switzerland in the ascendancy, though Italy were holding firm and it was not until 15 minutes from time that Dany Ryser's side regained the lead. Kamber's free-kick was parried by Bardi and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble, Goncalves shovelled the ball in. Kamber sealed victory, heading in the rebound after Ben Khalifa's fierce shot was well saved by Bardi.

Pasquale Salerno's Italy must beat France on Tuesday to have any chance of progress, while Switzerland conclude their Group A programme against defending champions Spain, requiring only a draw.

Italy: Mattia Perin, Alessio Campoli, Vincenzo Camilleri (Simone Benedetti 74), Simone Sini, Marco Ezio Fossati, Alessandro De Vitis (Leonardo Bianchi 60), Stephan El Sharaawy, Felice Natalini, Giacomo Beretta, Alberto Libertazzi (Francesco Bardi 28), Lorenzo Crisetig. (Subs not used: Francesco Finocchio, Stefano Baraldo, Simone Dell'Agnello, Michele Camporese.)
Switzerland: Benjamin Siegrist, Andre Goncalves, Janick Kamber, Charyl Chappuis, Frederic Veseli, Kofi Nimeley, Roman Buess (Bruno Martignoni 58), Oliver Buff, Haris Seferovic (Maik Nakic 79), Nassim Ben Khalifa (Igor Mijatovic 77), Granit Xhaka. (Subs not used: Raphael Spiegel, Matteo Tosetti, Nico Zwimpfer, Guy Roger Eschmann.)

REACTION
Pasquale Salerno (Italy coach): "we played pretty well until the red card. We were attacking well and we kept trying to attack afterwards so the sending off didn't change our approach too much. We had chances to score a second but couldn't manage it. Even though we were losing with fewer players I still saw the game the same way and indeed we struck back straight away. It was our mistakes that allowed the Swiss to win and it was a lot harder to strike back later in the game after we'd been down a man such a long time. But Switzerland continued to play well and had an organised and systematic approach so their win was well deserved."

GROUP A - MATCHDAY 2 RESULTS
Saturday 9 May
Spain 0-0 France
Italy 1-3 Switzerland

GROUP B - MATCHDAY 2 RESULTS
Saturday 9 May
Turkey 1-2 Netherlands
Germany 4-0 England

[Group A] - [Group B]

Source: UEFA