[Euro U17] Italy 2-1 France
Italy are through to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship semi-finals after coming from behind to eliminate France.
It looked bleak for Italy when Neeskens Kebano gave France the lead but Simone Dell'Agnello's header just before the break levelled matters and Simone Sini's penalty, coupled with Switzerland's draw with holders Spain, proved enough to earn second place behind the Swiss in Group A and a Friday meeting with hosts Germany.
A draw would have taken France through; as it is they finish bottom and miss out on even the consolation of a place in this autumn's FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria.
Kebano came in for his first finals appearance in the France attack and within three minutes had nearly scored, heading Yeni Ngbakoto's free-kick just wide. With Italy goalkeeper Mattia Perin suspended, Francesco Bardi started and pulled off an excellent save from Christopher Missilou after a superb Ishak Belfodil run.
France were moving forward with more purpose than an Azzurrini side struggling with the strong breeze, and in the 18th minute they made the breakthrough, Ngbakoto making a determined run in the box and slipping the ball to Kebano, whose finish was emphatic. Giacomo Beretta looked set to equalise in the 28th minute but France goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher saved at the striker's feet. That sparked a spell of Italy pressure, and two minutes from the break Dell'Agnello headed in Lorenzo Crisetig's free-kick.
Italy continued on the attack at the start of the second half and within ten minutes were ahead. A Stephan El Sharaawy run was ended in the box by a Christopher Missilou foul and Sini dispatched the penalty with ease. Boucher had no chance with the spot-kick but did bravely deny Beretta again, while Dell'Agnello volleyed over from close range. For France, there was only frustration, and when Benjamin Jeannot did get an acrobatic shot on target Bardi tipped the ball away.
Pasquale Salerno's Azzurrini will now play hosts Germany, who won Group A with three wins out of three, on Friday while Switzerland meet the Netherlands in the first semi-final.
The semi-finalists, along with third-placed sides Spain and Turkey, will represent Europe at the FIFA World Cup from 24 October to 15 November.
Italy: Francesco Bardi, Francesco Finocchio (Leonardo Bianchi 72), Alessio Campoli, Simone Benedetti, Simone Sini, Marco Ezio Fossati, Stephan El Sharaawy (Stefano Baraldo 65), Simone Dell'Agnello, Felice Natalini, Giacomo Beretta (Alessandro De Vitis 57), Lorenzo Crisetig. (Subs not used: Vincenzo Camilleri, Michele Camporese, Alberto Libertazzi.)
France: Zacharie Boucher, Alassane Tambe, Atila Turan, Dennis Appiah, Darnel Situ, Yeni Ngbakoto, Neeskens Kebano (Jimmy Kamghain 47), Benjamin Jeannot (Chris Gadi 74), Arnaud Souquet, Christopher Missilou, Ishak Belfodil (Mehdi Abeid 64). (Subs not used: Mehdi Taieb, Nampalys Mendy, Pierrick Cros, Guy Pellet.)
REACTION
Pasquale Salerno (Italy coach): "Today we faced a team that played a very high-tempo game along with us, something we had not seen against Spain or Switzerland. It was our most beautiful game. I had a great time sitting on the bench watching all these players compete on the pitch. I'm satisfied that we won, as it could have ended a draw. Both our teams had scoring opportunities. I am extremely happy because I always told the boys to keep the faith. Our main objective was to qualify for the World Cup and we achieved it thanks to a great core of players with a great work ethic. The difference was the number of chances we've had compared to the number of goals we've scored. In the first half the game was very balanced. We had a few opportunities, so did France. In the second half there was a bit of confusion following the goal. We also conceded a penalty against Switzerland but I think the penalty was the turning point."
GROUP A - MATCHDAY 3 RESULTS
Tuesday 12 May
Switzerland 0-0 Spain
Italy 2-1 France
GROUP B - MATCHDAY 3 RESULTS
Tuesday 12 May
Netherlands 0-2 Germany
Turkey 1-0 England
[Group A] - [Group B] - [Semi-Finals/Final]
Source: UEFA
It looked bleak for Italy when Neeskens Kebano gave France the lead but Simone Dell'Agnello's header just before the break levelled matters and Simone Sini's penalty, coupled with Switzerland's draw with holders Spain, proved enough to earn second place behind the Swiss in Group A and a Friday meeting with hosts Germany.A draw would have taken France through; as it is they finish bottom and miss out on even the consolation of a place in this autumn's FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria.
Kebano came in for his first finals appearance in the France attack and within three minutes had nearly scored, heading Yeni Ngbakoto's free-kick just wide. With Italy goalkeeper Mattia Perin suspended, Francesco Bardi started and pulled off an excellent save from Christopher Missilou after a superb Ishak Belfodil run.
France were moving forward with more purpose than an Azzurrini side struggling with the strong breeze, and in the 18th minute they made the breakthrough, Ngbakoto making a determined run in the box and slipping the ball to Kebano, whose finish was emphatic. Giacomo Beretta looked set to equalise in the 28th minute but France goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher saved at the striker's feet. That sparked a spell of Italy pressure, and two minutes from the break Dell'Agnello headed in Lorenzo Crisetig's free-kick.
Italy continued on the attack at the start of the second half and within ten minutes were ahead. A Stephan El Sharaawy run was ended in the box by a Christopher Missilou foul and Sini dispatched the penalty with ease. Boucher had no chance with the spot-kick but did bravely deny Beretta again, while Dell'Agnello volleyed over from close range. For France, there was only frustration, and when Benjamin Jeannot did get an acrobatic shot on target Bardi tipped the ball away.
Pasquale Salerno's Azzurrini will now play hosts Germany, who won Group A with three wins out of three, on Friday while Switzerland meet the Netherlands in the first semi-final.
The semi-finalists, along with third-placed sides Spain and Turkey, will represent Europe at the FIFA World Cup from 24 October to 15 November.
Italy: Francesco Bardi, Francesco Finocchio (Leonardo Bianchi 72), Alessio Campoli, Simone Benedetti, Simone Sini, Marco Ezio Fossati, Stephan El Sharaawy (Stefano Baraldo 65), Simone Dell'Agnello, Felice Natalini, Giacomo Beretta (Alessandro De Vitis 57), Lorenzo Crisetig. (Subs not used: Vincenzo Camilleri, Michele Camporese, Alberto Libertazzi.)
France: Zacharie Boucher, Alassane Tambe, Atila Turan, Dennis Appiah, Darnel Situ, Yeni Ngbakoto, Neeskens Kebano (Jimmy Kamghain 47), Benjamin Jeannot (Chris Gadi 74), Arnaud Souquet, Christopher Missilou, Ishak Belfodil (Mehdi Abeid 64). (Subs not used: Mehdi Taieb, Nampalys Mendy, Pierrick Cros, Guy Pellet.)
REACTION
Pasquale Salerno (Italy coach): "Today we faced a team that played a very high-tempo game along with us, something we had not seen against Spain or Switzerland. It was our most beautiful game. I had a great time sitting on the bench watching all these players compete on the pitch. I'm satisfied that we won, as it could have ended a draw. Both our teams had scoring opportunities. I am extremely happy because I always told the boys to keep the faith. Our main objective was to qualify for the World Cup and we achieved it thanks to a great core of players with a great work ethic. The difference was the number of chances we've had compared to the number of goals we've scored. In the first half the game was very balanced. We had a few opportunities, so did France. In the second half there was a bit of confusion following the goal. We also conceded a penalty against Switzerland but I think the penalty was the turning point."
GROUP A - MATCHDAY 3 RESULTS
Tuesday 12 May
Switzerland 0-0 Spain
Italy 2-1 France
GROUP B - MATCHDAY 3 RESULTS
Tuesday 12 May
Netherlands 0-2 Germany
Turkey 1-0 England
[Group A] - [Group B] - [Semi-Finals/Final]
Source: UEFA
posted by italian calcio blog at 13:03
ITALY AT THE EUROS:
ITALY AT THE GAMES:
ITALY AT THE EUROS:
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home