Seven Goals and Six Points in Five Days: Italy’s Azzurrini Show Their Class!
Hold onto your calcio hats, folks! In a stunning display of football prowess, Italy’s Under 20 national team just pulled off a fantastic feat that would make even the greats of the game stand up and applaud. After taking Poland to the cleaners, they’ve now trounced Romania 4-1. Not in a shabby back alley, mind you, but at the hallowed grounds of Viola Park. If you thought this was merely a warm-up act for the main event, think again!
The Match Breakdown: Goals Galore!
This was not just any match; this was a spectacle of conversion! By the end of the first half, the Azzurrini had already secured a formidable lead with goals coming from:
- Adam Bakoune (Milan) – 23rd minute
- Luca Lipani (Sassuolo) – 33rd minute
- Raphael Kofler (South Tyrol) – 41st minute
Then, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Lorenzo Anghelè from Juventus stepped up to the penalty spot and sealed the deal in the second half. And if that wasn’t enough, Trica managed a consolation goal for Romania – bless him!
What the Manager Had to Say
Coach Bernardo Corradi was understandably pleased, perhaps slightly stunned by the performance: “We had prepared the match well against their physical pressure. Then things went differently, but we adapted well and created a rhythm in our play.” A coach that praises adaptability? Now there’s a refreshing take!
Meet the Squad!
For those who are curious, let’s have a sneak peek at the line-ups:
ITALY (4-3-1-2)
- Thin
- Bakoune (sub: Chiarodia), Kofler, Stabile, Reale (sub: Idrissi)
- Ciammaglichella, Harder (sub: Cichella), Lipani (sub: Manzoni)
- Candelari
- Perlingieri (sub: Konaté), Anghelè
ROMANIA (4-2-3-1)
- Rafaila (sub: Left)
- Strata (sub: Dorobantu), M. Dutu, D. Pop, David (sub: Borza)
- Botogan (sub: S. Dutu), Vulturar (sub: Jalade)
- Bana (sub: Radulescu), Florea (sub: Radaslavescu), R. Pop
- Stan (sub: Trica)
Elite League Standings
The results don’t just scratch the surface of glory; they shake up the standings too. Here’s how things are shaping up:
- England – 13 points (5 matches)
- ITALY – 10 points (6 matches)
- Germany – 9 points (4 matches)
- Portugal – 9 points (5 matches)
- Romania – 4 points (5 matches)
- Poland – 3 points (4 matches)
- Turkey – 2 points (4 matches)
- Czechia – 2 points (5 matches)
Final Thoughts
With the thrill of victory still in the air, it’s clear that Italy’s Under 20 squad has got something special brewing. They’re not just here to play – they’re here to win with style, class, and, dare I say, a bit of flair! As they continue to gel and enhance their chemistry, stay tuned because this team is bound to keep us at the edge of our seats. After all, who wouldn’t want to jump on the bandwagon of yet another Italian football triumph?
Now, if only I could jump that high after a couple of espresso shots. Ciao for now!
Seven goals and six points in five days. After Poland, the Under 20 national team also beat Romania: Following their impressive victory against Poland, the Under 20 national team continued their winning streak by defeating Romania 4-1 at ‘Viola Park’. Under the skilled leadership of coach Bernardo Corradi, the Azzurrini secured their third triumph in the Elite League, marking their first home win after previous away victories over Czechia and Poland. Italy demonstrated dominance throughout the match, maintaining control from the first whistle to the final minutes. They established an authoritative lead in the first half with decisive goals from Adam Bakoune of AC Milan, Luca Lipani from Sassuolo, and Raphael Kofler representing South Tyrol. The victory was further solidified in the second half when Lorenzo Anghelè of Juventus successfully converted a penalty, before Romania’s Trica managed a consolation goal.
“We had prepared the match well, on their pressure, being a very physical opponent – Corradi’s words -. Then things went differently in terms of the type of development of the match, but we were good at creating the basis of the free ball to play well and give rhythm in the possession phase. It’s a good group, with character and quality: the new players integrated well straight away and it’s not trivial to make your debut with the national team.”
ITALY-ROMANIA 4-1 (3-0 p.t.)
ITALIA (4-3-1-2): Thin; Bakoune (from 1st st Chiarodia), Kofler, Stabile, Reale (from 17th st Idrissi); Ciammaglichella, Harder (from 28′ st Cichella), Lipani (from 28′ st Manzoni); Candelari; Perlingieri (from 17′ st Konaté), Anghelè. Available: Torriani, Mane, Zeroli, Di Maggio, Vacca. All. Corradi
ROMANIA (4-2-3-1): Rafaila (dal 33′ st Left); Strata (1st floor Dorobantu), M. Dutu, D. Pop, David (1st floor Borza); Botogan (dal 23′ st S. Dutu), Vulturar (dal 40′ st Jalade); Bana (floor 23′ st Radulescu), Florea (floor 1′ st Radaslavescu), R. Pop; Stan (dal 33′ st Trica). Available: Dinca, Pascalau, Musi, El-Sawy. All. Leashes
Markers: 23′ pt Bakoune (I), 33′ Lipani (I), 41′ Kofler (I), 20′ st Anghelè (I), 36′ st Trica (R)
ELITE LEAGUE 2024-25
Monday 18 November
Portugal-Czechia 1-1
Tuesday 19 November
ITALY-Romania 4-1
4pm: Poland-England
5pm: Türkiye-Germany
Ranking (matches played in brackets)
England (5) 13, ITALY (6) 10, Germany (4) and Portugal (5) 9, Romania (5) 4, Poland (4) 3, Turkey (4) and Czechia (5) 2
How does Coach Corradi plan to maintain the team’s momentum in the Elite League standings?
**Interview with Coach Bernardo Corradi – Italy’s Under 20 National Team**
*Interviewer*: Welcome, Coach Corradi! Congratulations on the stunning 4-1 victory against Romania. How does it feel to see your team perform so brilliantly?
*Bernardo Corradi*: Thank you! It feels fantastic. The boys executed our game plan with precision and showed tremendous adaptability on the pitch. It’s always rewarding to see hard work pay off, especially in a competitive environment like this.
*Interviewer*: You took an early lead with three goals in the first half. What do you think made the difference in that opening period?
*Corradi*: We emphasized the importance of starting strong. The boys really took that to heart—our pressing game worked well, and we were able to exploit spaces in their defense. Each goal seemed to boost the team’s confidence even further, which is crucial in any match.
*Interviewer*: Lorenzo Anghelè’s penalty kick sealed the deal in the second half. How do you feel about his composure under pressure?
*Corradi*: Lorenzo is a player with great character. His ability to stay calm during high-pressure moments is a testament to his experience, despite his age. Scoring from the penalty spot takes nerve, and he executed it beautifully.
*Interviewer*: The squad has been performing well recently. What do you think has contributed to the current momentum?
*Corradi*: Team chemistry is key. We’ve spent a lot of time building our dynamics both on and off the pitch. The players understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing for seamless teamwork. Plus, the support from our fans at Viola Park truly energizes the players.
*Interviewer*: Looking ahead in the Elite League standings, Italy is currently sitting pretty at second place. What are your plans for maintaining this momentum?
*Corradi*: It’s about maintaining focus and humility. We must continue practicing hard and not get ahead of ourselves. Every match is its own challenge, so we’ll prepare meticulously for our upcoming games. Winning with class is our mantra.
*Interviewer*: Lastly, any messages for the fans who are following the team’s journey?
*Corradi*: Absolutely! Thank you for your unwavering support. Keep believing in us; the Azzurrini are committed to bringing our best to each match, and we hope to make you proud. Forza Azzurri!
*Interviewer*: Thank you so much, Coach. We look forward to following your team as the season progresses!
*Corradi*: My pleasure! Thank you!
