The Azzurrini (U21) Thread (3 Viewers)

Gigiventus

Senior Member
Mar 3, 2017
3,130
I don't if there a separate thread for the U17. The current kids have gotten really impressive results.

First qualifying round:
Italy 7-0 Andorra
Italy 3-0 Armenia
Italy 3-0 Croatia

Elite round:
Italy 2-0 Turkey
Italy 3-0 Romania
Italy 4-1 Austria

Group stage:
Italy 3-1 Germany
Italy 2-1 Austria
Italy 4-1 Spain

Now it's the QF vs Portugal on Monday.

I think there are 5 Juventini there. There were other Juventini in last year's team which lost the final in penalties (like Gozzi) as well.
 

JuveJay

Senior Signor
Moderator
Mar 6, 2007
72,082
The youth levels have been doing good work for a couple of years now, hopefully this will filter through to the Nazionale.

Sebastiano Esposito the Inter player is a particular standout of that U17 team, he has half of Europe looking at him.


 

JuveJay

Senior Signor
Moderator
Mar 6, 2007
72,082
Italy got past Portugal 1-0, our own Franco Tongya (good player) with the goal.

This kid for France (best team in the tournament) has already scored 9 goals in the tournament so far, and the SFs haven't even been played yet. He's also a midfielder, and plays for PSG. That 9 goals already ties the tournament record - shared by him and a certain Michel Platini.

Adil Aouchiche, worth remembering the name.
 

Mark

The Informer
Administrator
Dec 19, 2003
95,899
Italy got past Portugal 1-0, our own Franco Tongya (good player) with the goal.

This kid for France (best team in the tournament) has already scored 9 goals in the tournament so far, and the SFs haven't even been played yet. He's also a midfielder, and plays for PSG. That 9 goals already ties the tournament record - shared by him and a certain Michel Platini.

Adil Aouchiche, worth remembering the name.
when is his contract up? :fab2:
 

Barese

Junior Member
May 9, 2019
80
Italy got past Portugal 1-0, our own Franco Tongya (good player) with the goal.

This kid for France (best team in the tournament) has already scored 9 goals in the tournament so far, and the SFs haven't even been played yet. He's also a midfielder, and plays for PSG. That 9 goals already ties the tournament record - shared by him and a certain Michel Platini.

Adil Aouchiche, worth remembering the name.
I have seen the match against Spain, was really impressed by the maturity of the team. They were so well-organised, it made the passing game of Spain kinda hopeless.

Nice to see that Italy will have some good generations coming up, with u17 and u19 already reaching the final last year.

The win yesterday means they are automatically qualified for the worldcup in october.

Riccio, Brentan, Sekulov and Tongya are all from our primavera. Just a shame they will never get some playtime with Allegri.
 

JuveJay

Senior Signor
Moderator
Mar 6, 2007
72,082
U17s beat a strong French team 2-1 to reach the final, where they will play the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2018 final. Esposito and Udogie with the goals. They beat Spain by an odd goal.

The Dutch have some strong individuals like Brobbey, Hoever and Matsen but there isn't much between 4 or 5 teams at this level.
 

Bianconero_Aus

Beppe Marotta Is My God
May 26, 2009
76,749
U17s beat a strong French team 2-1 to reach the final, where they will play the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2018 final. Esposito and Udogie with the goals. They beat Spain by an odd goal.

The Dutch have some strong individuals like Brobbey, Hoever and Matsen but there isn't much between 4 or 5 teams at this level.
They’ve beaten strong teams to make it to the final. Let’s see if they can actually get over the line and win the final, as some of the youth teams recently have stumbled at the final hurdle.

Regardless, it’s encouraging to see some strong players emerge from Italy’s youth teams.
 

Barese

Junior Member
May 9, 2019
80
It was a difficult match, kinda lucky to score 2 times with 2 shots on goal. Ive seen the second half, yet again a very well organised Italy, but somewhat lacking in terms of creativity. Very efficient tho, scoring both shots on goal.

Udogie was impressing against Spain aswell. I thought that he's a natural LB, but he could develop in to a nice DM.
 

Barese

Junior Member
May 9, 2019
80
Disapointing final against The Netherlands last week, Italy lost with 4-2. A bit unlucky with the goals/chances, but overall The Netherlands was better.

The World Cup u20 started with a win against Mexico yesterday, 2-1 goals from Frattesi and Ranieri. Sunday the match against Ecuador. Luca Pellegrini (AS Roma) is a player to keep a close eye to.
 

Gigiventus

Senior Member
Mar 3, 2017
3,130
Preliminary squad for the U21 euro

Goalkeepers: Emil Audero (Sampdoria), Alex Meret (Napoli), Lorenzo Montipò (Benevento);
Defenders: Claud Adjapong (Sassuolo), Alessandro Bastoni (Parma), Kevin Bonifazi (Spal), Arturo Calabresi (Bologna), Davide Calabria (Milan), Fabio De Paoli (Chievo Verona), Federico Dimarco (Parma), Sebastiano Luperto (Napoli), Giuseppe Pezzella (Genoa), Filippo Romagna (Cagliari);
Midfielders: Francesco Cassata (Frosinone), Gaetano Castrovilli (Cremonese), Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo), Rolando Mandragora (Udinese), Alessandro Murgia (Spal), Sandro Tonali (Brescia), Luca Valzania (Frosinone);
Forwards: Federico Bonazzoli (Padova), Patrick Cutrone (Milan), Simone Edera (Bologna), Gabriele Moncini (Cittadella), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Vittorio Parigini (Torino).
 

Ronn

#TeamPestoFlies
May 3, 2012
19,519
Italy beat Poland 1-0 to advance to quarterfinals. Lots of physical players but not many game changers in the final 3rd.
 

Gigiventus

Senior Member
Mar 3, 2017
3,130
Haven't had a chance to watch any matches in the tournament. How is Scamacca doing? just from highlights it looks like he has been good. A lot of promise there.

Scamacca, Pinamonti, Plizzari, Luca Pellegrini have always looked good coming up the ranks. This team made it to the final last year of the U19 euros but lost Zaniolo, Tonali and Kean to the higher categories already due to their superb level. Overall very positive class.
 

Barese

Junior Member
May 9, 2019
80
Not a big fan of Scamacca, but Italy didnt have a lot of good attacks in general. Difficult games for strikers.

Pinamonti, Colombo, Esposito, Cutrone, Kean, all interesting strikes, but we are missing a real Fantasita. The new Baggio/Del Piero/Totti needs to come asap.

Plizzari is great indeed. I mentioned Pellegrini before, has some potential.

Kinda liked Espisito, who seems to have the intelligence to play as a regista. And Bellanova, fighting really hard as a wingback.
 

Gigiventus

Senior Member
Mar 3, 2017
3,130
The fantasista is missing and the position gets played less now so it's even harder to find one. That's part of why I like Scamacca more, he has better technique and unpredictability imo, couple with the fact that he is an athletic giant makes me hopeful that he can be better. Sadly Raiola may be ruining his career with these moves.
 

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