Italy are playing a friendly with England this week:

Italy


England


England vastly more experienced, experimental and young from Italy, but should be a good game.

Edit: Italy won 1-0, late penalty from Federico Macheda.

Squad for friendlies with Sweden and Germany, on March 24th and 27th:

Goalkeepers: Bardi (Inter), Pinsoglio (Esperia Viareggio), Rossi (Atalanta);
Defenders: Biraghi (Inter), Caldirola (Vitesse), Camporese (Fiorentina), Crescenzi (Crotone), Donati (Lecce), Faraoni (Inter), Mori (Empoli);
Midfielders: Crisetig (Inter), D’Alessandro (Livorno), Fabbrini (Empoli), Marrone (Siena), Misuraca (Vicenza), Rizzo (Reggina), Romizi (Reggiana), Saponara (Empoli), Soriano (Empoli);
Forwards: Borini (Swansea City), Gabbiadini (Cittadella), Macheda (Sampdoria), Paloschi (Genoa).

U-21: Italy defeat Sweden

Ciro Ferrara’s winning streak as Under-21 Italy boss continues following a 3-1 win over Sweden this evening.

Ferrara went into the Reggio Emilia friendly with two wins from two after victories over Turkey [2-1] and England [1-0] in previous tests.

Italy took an early grip of the game by going in 2-0 up at half-time. Empoli’s Diego Fabbrini and Alberto Paloschi of Genoa grabbed the goals.

The home side then made it three soon after the break with Federico Macheda. The Manchester United striker, on loan at Sampdoria, has scored in all three of Ferrara’s games so far.

Sweden did grab a consolation goal just after the hour through Larsson, but it made no difference to the result.

The Italian Under-21s are again in action on Tuesday when they take on their German counterparts in another friendly.

Italy U-21 3-1 Sweden U-21
Scorers: Fabbrini 19 (I), Paloschi 32 (I), Macheda 56 (I), Larsson 65 (S)

Italy: Pinsoglio; Donati, Camporese, Caldirola, Crescenzi; D’Alessandro, Romizi, Soriano, Fabbrini; Paloschi, Macheda

Sweden: Noring; Larsson, Jansson, Dyrestam, Asp; Hamad, Johansson, Hiljemark, Hult; Jonsson, Armenteros

Good result for the Azzurrini today too, they fought back from two Lewis Holtby goals to draw 2-2 in Germany, Gabbiadini and Borini the scorers.

U-21: Italy see off Russia

Ciro Ferrara’s Azzurrini scored two late goals to defeat their Russian counterparts 2-0 in today’s friendly.

The Under-21 side left it to the final five minutes of normal time to break through in this latest test hosted by Padova.

Empoli midfielder Riccardo Saponara opened the scoring at the 85th with his angled drive to surprise the goalkeeper.

It was his debut goal for the Azzurrini on his fourth cap.

That was followed in stoppages by Cittadella hitman Manolo Gabbiadini’s classic counter-attack, as Russia poured forward trying to earn a draw and were caught out by Fernando Forestieri’s assist.

“It was the toughest game since I took charge of the Nazionale,” declared Ferrara.

“The result makes us happy, of course, but we have to examine the performance overall. We ran into some difficulties and need to address them.

“Russia were finding some good attacking moves and running at our defence with pace.”

Italy 2-0 Russia

Scorers: Saponara 85 (I), Gabbiadini 94 (I)

Italy U-21: Pinsoglio; Santon (Donati 46), Caldirola, Mori, Crescenzi; D’Alessandro (Saponara 66), Marrone (Soriano 46), Romizi (Faraoni 34), Misuraca; Paloschi (Gabbiadini 46), Macheda (Forestieri 69)

Russia U-21: Zabolotnyi; Dmitriev, Zhestokov, Kulesha, Cheminava; Abdulfattakh (Golban 90), Kirillov, Gatakov; Kokorin, Goshokov (Fedotov 86), Poloz (Sobolev 64)

Ref: Turpin (Fra)

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Ferrara's impressive run of results continues.

Results under Ferrara:

Italy 2-1 Turkey
Italy 1-0 England
Italy 3-1 Sweden
Germany 2-2 Italy
Italy 2-0 Russia

U21: Azzurrini thump Hungary

Italy’s European qualifying campaign got off to a splendid start as Manolo Gabbiadini scored twice in their 3-0 victory away to Hungary.

Ciro Ferrara’s Azzurrini began the road to the 2013 European Under-21 Championships in impressive fashion. With Diego Fabbrini injured, the Coach opted for Gabbiadini and Roma’s new signing Fabio Borini in attack.

Atalanta teenager Gabbiadini had a very bright start, as he looked to be felled when running clear on goal after just seven minutes, but the referee waved play on. He also set up a chance for Borini that was beaten away by the goalkeeper.

Hungarian shot-stopper Gulacsi also denied Gabbiadini’s angled drive, but the striker then fired wide from close range. Borini went closer than anyone before half-time, his left-foot screamer cracking against the crossbar.

The breakthrough came 60 seconds after the restart, as Davide Santon sparked the attacking move, then Alessandro Crescenzi crossed for Gabbiadini’s diving header.

Hungary finally had a shot on goal with Svab on the hour mark, but Gulacsi again had to rush off his line to close down ex-Chelsea and Swansea City striker Borini one-on-one.

Gabbiadini made it 2-0 with his second of the game. A free kick was only cleared into the path of the Atalanta 19-year-old for a powerful finish from the edge of the box.

There was still time for a late scare, as goalkeeper Pinsoglio was caught off his line, but Fausto Rossi managed a crucial intervention to stop Bertus in front of an open goal.

Borini finished off the match with a third goal, as substitute Mattia Destro sprung the offside trap and had his shot charged down, but put it back into Borini’s path for the simplest of tap-ins.

Hungary ended the game with 10 men when Futacs sarcastically applauded the referee and was sent packing.

Hungary 0-3 Italy

Scorers: Gabbiadini 46, 67 (I), Borini 82 (I)

Sent off: Futacs 90 (H)

Hungary U21: Gulacsi; Svab, Szokol, Kadar (Kainoki-Kis 72), Fodor; Kiss, Balazs (Bertus 46), Tajthy, Bodi (Gyursco 83); Gosztonyi, Futacs

Italy U21: Pinsoglio; Capuano, Caldirola, Crescenzi, Santon; F Rossi, Marrone, Florenzi, Saponara (Donati 84); Gabbiadini (Destro 74), Borini (Paloschi 85)

Ref: Soares (Por)

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Impressive win, Hungary are not mugs at this level.

Liechtenstein just took the lead after a few minutes against the Azzurrini, then Borini managed to get himself sent off for two yellows after 17 minutes

A big shocker is on the cards here.

LOL Italy are winning 3-1 now with HT approaching.

3-1 at HT. Just seen the goals, Fausto Rossi scored the equaliser and it was a right foot cracker from 25 yards.

Borini's sending off was dumb and bs, he got a second yellow card for running back onto the pitch before the ref signaled.

http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-2/10/132/v-313378.html

4-1, Fiorenzzi, assist from Marrone but the former did most of the work. Licht are poo.

5-1, Gabbiadini hat-trick.

GOL LICHTENSTEIN! Nice chip from the edge of the box.

Had to drive home so missed the rest but Italy won 7-2 lol, Insigne scored the last two.

Italy v Turkey just kicked off, 0-0.

2-0 to Italy so far. Saponara scored on HT and at the start of the second half Destro just stabbed one in after some pretty terrible Turkish marking.

Finished 2-0. Insigne got himself sent off for reacting to a bad tackle and a stupid Turkish player so he'll learn from that. Ferrara's golden run continues.

Ferrara’s Azzurrini maintain winning start

Turkey 0-2 Italy

Italy moved into first place in their European Under-21 qualifying group with a hard-fought 2-0 win away to Turkey.

Going into Thursday's Group 7 qualification match just below table-topping Turkey, Ciro Ferrara’s Azzurrini faced a difficult test to maintain their 100 per cent record in the group.

Thanks to Mattia Destro’s goals either end of a frantic second half though, the team leave the Kasımpasa Stadium in Istanbul with their fourth win from four in the qualification stages for 2013’s edition of the tournament.

After a goalless first half in which Turkey had the stronger run of the play, Italy opened the scoring just four minutes into the second 45 as Alberto Paloschi’s excellent play set up Destro.

The game was then peppered with cards as English official Stuart Atwell was kept busy, in total issuing nine yellow cards, whilst Turkey’s Sefa Yilmaz picked up a red.

Siena man Destro then capped a fine individual display with a well-taken second goal on 90 minutes to secure the win.

Turkey: Kahveci; Corekci, Aziz, Kaya (Akca 47), Nizam (Aygunes 62); Potuk, Uysal; Yilmaz, Ozcal (Colak 77), Cek; Demir

Italy: Bardi; Donati, Caldirola, Capuano, Crescenzi; Saponara (Crimi 60), Marrone (Ragusa 77), Rossi, Florenzi; Paloschi (Bertolacci 82), Destro

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Another nice win, Ferrara and the boys going strong.

Lovely second goal from Destro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=playe...p;v=EkkOKAJZeKE

Winning 1-0 at HT at home to Hungary in the second of the qualifying matches this week. Manolo Gabbiadini with the goal.

1st half highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=playe...p;v=j2SteC2x1-0

Azzurrini earn draw in France

By Football Italia staff

Italy’s Under-21 side earned a prestigious 1-1 friendly draw in France thanks to Alberto Paloschi’s header.

The Azzurrini made changes to their line-up for this friendly in Cannes, above all losing Fabio Borini to his debut senior Italy call-up.

Both Lorenzo Insigne and Mattia Destro blasted just wide from distance, as Italy had good chances in the first half despite France dominating possession.

On 27 minutes Marco Verratti sent Manolo Gabbiadini clear, who dribbled round the goalkeeper, but the angle was then narrow and Varane was able to make a crucial goalline clearance.

Just moments later, France took the lead with Lyon striker Lacazette’s towering header on a Kakuta cross.

It was almost 2-0, but Khazri was flagged offside when he put Kakuta’s long ball into the net.

Goalkeeper Ahamada did well to close down Insigne on a Riccardo Saponara searching pass, then Insigne went close again after his shot was charged down from close range.

Stephan El Shaarawy and Giulio Donati were introduced for the second half. Lacazetta wasted the chance to make it 2-0 straight after the restart by ballooning over from close range, while Saponara was flagged offside when he hit the woodwork on El Shaarawy’s assist.

Italy were again denied by a goalline clearance, this time Corchia preventing Alessandro Florenzi from getting on the scoresheet despite going round Ahamada.

The Azzurrini did get their equaliser on 69 minutes, as Alberto Paloschi nodded in Alessandro Crescenzi’s cross from the left channel.

Ciro Ferrara’s lads began to take control of the game and had great opportunities with El Shaarawy and Insigne, but were unable to get the winner.

France 1-1 Italy

Scorers: Lavazette 29 (F), Paloschi 69 (I)

France U-21: Ahamada; Stanbouili, Isimat-Virin (Corchia 46), Varane, Mavinga (Ghoulam 67); Guilavogui, Grenier; Cabella, Kakuta (Brahimi 46), Khazri (Bulot 67); Lacazette

Italy U-21: Bardi; Santon (Donati 46), Capuano, Caldirola, Crescenzi (Faraoni 78); Saponara (Rossi 61), Verratti, Florenzi (Crimi 85), Insigne; Destro (El Shaarawy 46), Gabbiadini (Paloschi 61)

Ref: Bieri

Azzurrini earn draw in France

By Football Italia staff

Italy’s Under-21 side earned a prestigious 1-1 friendly draw in France thanks to Alberto Paloschi’s header.

The Azzurrini made changes to their line-up for this friendly in Cannes, above all losing Fabio Borini to his debut senior Italy call-up.

Both Lorenzo Insigne and Mattia Destro blasted just wide from distance, as Italy had good chances in the first half despite France dominating possession.

On 27 minutes Marco Verratti sent Manolo Gabbiadini clear, who dribbled round the goalkeeper, but the angle was then narrow and Varane was able to make a crucial goalline clearance.

Just moments later, France took the lead with Lyon striker Lacazette’s towering header on a Kakuta cross.

It was almost 2-0, but Khazri was flagged offside when he put Kakuta’s long ball into the net.

Goalkeeper Ahamada did well to close down Insigne on a Riccardo Saponara searching pass, then Insigne went close again after his shot was charged down from close range.

Stephan El Shaarawy and Giulio Donati were introduced for the second half. Lacazetta wasted the chance to make it 2-0 straight after the restart by ballooning over from close range, while Saponara was flagged offside when he hit the woodwork on El Shaarawy’s assist.

Italy were again denied by a goalline clearance, this time Corchia preventing Alessandro Florenzi from getting on the scoresheet despite going round Ahamada.

The Azzurrini did get their equaliser on 69 minutes, as Alberto Paloschi nodded in Alessandro Crescenzi’s cross from the left channel.

Ciro Ferrara’s lads began to take control of the game and had great opportunities with El Shaarawy and Insigne, but were unable to get the winner.

France 1-1 Italy

Scorers: Lavazette 29 (F), Paloschi 69 (I)

France U-21: Ahamada; Stanbouili, Isimat-Virin (Corchia 46), Varane, Mavinga (Ghoulam 67); Guilavogui, Grenier; Cabella, Kakuta (Brahimi 46), Khazri (Bulot 67); Lacazette

Italy U-21: Bardi; Santon (Donati 46), Capuano, Caldirola, Crescenzi (Faraoni 78); Saponara (Rossi 61), Verratti, Florenzi (Crimi 85), Insigne; Destro (El Shaarawy 46), Gabbiadini (Paloschi 61)

Ref: Bieri

Italy have a lot of talent coming through at the moment, gives real hope for the future.

The Azzurrini won 4-1 in Scotland in a friendly, Fiorenzi, Immobile, Insigne and Longo with the goals.