U21: Super Azzurrini conquer Spain Tuesday 10 October, 2006
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Stunning goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Riccardo Montolivo sealed Italy’s 2-1 win in Spain to reach the Euro Under-21 Championships.
Italy knew they had to score at least a goal in Palencia to qualify for the tournament after Friday’s 0-0 draw.
Casiraghi made just one change, introducing Graziano Pelle for Nicola Pozzi, while the Spaniards fielded the same line-up that played in Modena.
Gianluca Curci had to make a difficult save in the opening 90 seconds, palming away a Kepa header, then the Spanish striker nodded another effort off target.
Italy were under pressure early on, but Alessandro Rosina went on a marauding run down the right before his shot was charged down.
It was the Azzurrini who broke through in truly spectacular circumstances. Giorgio Chiellini gathered a bouncing ball from 20 metres and took advantage of the momentum, striking an incredible half-volley with the outside of his left foot so that it swung over the goalkeeper, dipping into the far top corner.
Spain’s confidence was hit hard and Italy doubled their lead with another excellent strike. Raffaele Palladino dribbled between two players down the left flank and chipped his cross for a splendid Riccardo Montolivo right-foot volley under the bar. It was a familiar finish to Marco Van Basten’s in the 1988 European Championships.
After the break Curci blocked a Gavilan angled drive, then the same player found space on the counter-attack, but slashed his shot under pressure from Montolivo.
The home side got back into the running with substitute Roberto Soldado, who got in front of his marker to nod in Gavilan’s cross. It was the first goal Italy had conceded in 435 minutes of football.
Rosina almost put the result beyond doubt soon after, taking advantage of a defensive mix-up on Chiellini’s cross, but the shot was charged down from point-blank range. Simone Padoin of Vicenza replaced Palladino to strengthen the midfield.
Soldado had penalty appeals rejected for his contact with Chiellini, while at the other end Padoin nodded Rosina’s cross inches past the upright.
Andrea Lazzari came on for Rosina in the closing stages and Potenza performed a crucial tackle on Gavilan. Cagliari's Francesco Pisano was the final substitute in this prestigious 2-1 away victory, but there was a scuffle in stoppages as temperatures rose in Palencia, leading to Javier Flano Melli's dismissal.
The European Under-21 Championships will be played in Holland from June 10 to 23, 2007.
Spain 1-2 Italy (1-2 on agg)
Scorers: Chiellini 25 (I), Montolivo 33 (I), Soldado 59 (S)
Spain U21: Moyà; Flano Melli, Pique, Albiol, Garrido; Zapater, Garcia (De La Red 46); Ariz Mendi (Jurado 54), Silva, Gavilan; Kepa (Soldado 46)
Italy U21: Curci; Potenza, Mantovani, Andreolli, Chiellini; Nocerino, Aquilani (Pisano 89); Rosina (Lazzari 78), Montolivo, Palladino (Padoin 67); Pellè
Ref: Zauner (Aus)
Sent off: Flano Melli 94 (S)
ესეც რიკარდო მონტოლივო
მიმაგრებული სურათი
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იტალიური ფეხბურთის ბრიგადა, CAMPIONI DEL MONDO 2006
