The match was decided by the goals of Ndour, who scored after 3′, Lipani and Ekhator, who in two minutes closed the match at the start of the second half. In the final Fini scores from the spot
Italy Under 21 wins and with a poker over North Macedonia they rise to 18 points in group E (Poland will be on stage tomorrow against Armenia): the Italians seen here deserve success and to continue believing in first place which gives immediate access to the European category. They win, they play, they have fun without ever losing sight of their opponent who last September, at home, only conceded narrowly (1-0 with Italy with ten men). In Empoli the team manages with ease: the first goal after three minutes and a few seconds certainly helps to put the match in the right channel. Bartesaghi and Ndour take care of it, a Milan-Fiorentina axis that sees the full-back cross from the left and the midfielder with the blue number 10 header among the opponents. Second goal for him in a few days after scoring a draw against Inter in the league. In another quarter of an hour the Azzurri would have had the opportunity to score the second and third goals, if Lipani hadn’t been doubly unlucky: post at the invitation of Cherubini, crossbar following a header from a corner. Macedonia’s counterattacks were stopped without much effort by the blue defenders, supported by good coverage in the midfield. Coach Baldini had confirmed the offensive trident with the Genoan Ekhator between the wingers Koleosho and Cherubini: all three do a good job. The lead in the first 45 minutes is absolutely deserved.
IMMEDIATELY TRIS
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First substitution of the second half is Kayode for Favasuli, who is booked for simulation. Nothing else changes, not even the script of the match. And in fact, as in the first half, three minutes and a handful of seconds passed before the Azzurri goal. Finally Lipani after two poles. And as in the first half, but with more aim and luck, Italy continues the assault in the opponent’s area and immediately finds the third goal: Ekhator on a deep ball from Dagasso. Italy’s attempts don’t end here: Ndour and Bartesaghi try again, before moving on to ordinary management and routine changes. Baldini got what he asked for: play and enthusiasm. From the starters as well as from those who come into the running: Fini as a substitute ended up among the scorers after a personal action which led him to duel with Hamza in the area and win the penalty. Kicked and scored. The Italy of the kids is moving fast.
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