In Chile the Azzurrini win thanks to the penalty of the Roma talent, on loan to Juve Stabia. Wednesday second match against Cuba
The U20 World Championship, in habit, for the European Championships starts with the headlights off. This is also the case for Italy vice world champion, beaten two years ago only in the final by Uruguay (which, among other things, has not qualified and therefore cannot defend the title). But the Azzurrini of Carmine Nunziata – who made a great effort to compose the squad, with many players not freed from the clubs – still start on the right foot in the 2025 edition in Chile. In Valparaiso the penalty transformed by Mattia Mannini, after 10 ‘, is enough to overcome the most expert and vitamin Australia, who with this group – are almost all 2005 – won the Cup of Asia U20, the captain. It is Sebastian Esposito passed from the spring of Lecce while in the middle of the field there is the son of the former Lazio Paul Okon.
Italy balance
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Nunziata draws a 3-4-2-1 in which Lorenzo Riccio-son of Gigi, deputy of the CT Gattuso-wins the ballot in the median with room, while Okoro is preferred to the liberal cotton wire that starts from the bench. At the start, Italy risks imbucita for Jovanovic who engages Nunziante, but on the overturning opposite he manages to hurt: great diagonal ball of Cama for Mosconi, the goalkeeper Hall is forced to land the Inter striker and thus sends Mannini to the spot. The Juve Stabia midfielder, on loan from Rome, kicks strong and quite central but goes on. Between 23 ‘and 24’ Italy has a double opportunity to double: first the corner of Corradi from the corner – Gran Parade of Hall -, then the rebound in the area that leads to Amey’s high shot, but shortly afterwards it is still Jovanovic who touches the equal aiming for the distant pole with a right in the race. Out of centimeters, but you suffer. In half an hour, Nunziata must force a change with Sardinian to Amey (stopped by a muscle trouble). And while the blue defense is rearranged, Bennie has a sensational opportunity that Cestina in front of Nunziante (Corradi had not better read vertical insertion).
Italy management
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At the beginning of the second half Nunziata refreshes his own with the quality of liberals and the structure of Konatè in front (instead of Okoro and Mosconi) to keep a few more balls in the opponent’s half of the field. At 60 ‘, on the development of corner kick, Nunziante must however defuse another danger. The occasions come on one side and the other and at 71 ‘it is liberal to touch the 2-0, hitting the pole after a ball recovered on the construction from the bass of the Australians. From there to the finish line, the rhythm lowers and the blue manage with merit to keep the dangers away. Mission made: it was important to start with three points, despite the awareness of the many things to improve. And of the knowledge to be acquired, for a completely new group that physiologically is not yet a team. But he hopes to become so, perhaps by prolonging his stay in Chile as long as possible (from the six groups, the four best thirds are also passed as well as the first two). On Wednesday, always in Valparaiso, the challenge with Cuba. Then the big match with Argentina in the night between 4 and 5 October.
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