Under-17: Italy strike mainly after the break

A tough yet at the same time fascinating and prestigious test for coach Bonesso’s Biancoazzurrini in nearby Santarcangelo. Facing San Marino were their "cousins", Italy. The home side immediately looked dangerous on 7 minutes, when Liberali first got past Marani down the left flank and then crossed for Camarda, whose header from the middle of the box was too central to trouble Casadei. Barely a minute later Italy took the lead: the move started with Camarda, the most eagerly awaited player, who in the box wriggled away from Forcellini and shot, drawing a save from Casadei. The keeper’s parry, however, was a short one and Mosconi was quickest to pounce on the loose ball and score. A few minutes later Italy had the chance to double their lead: it all started from a corner taken by Coletta, the ball somehow reached Manfressoni who controlled and fired, drawing a sensational save from Casadei for another corner. Shortly after the half-hour mark Casadei was decisive again, this time on Mosconi’s effort: played in by Gariani, he escaped Meloni and then shot, but the Azzurri’s intentions were once more turned behind for a corner. A massive chance for 2-0 came on 38 minutes: first Liberali carved out space for the shot, the rebound fell kindly for Di Nunzio who, completely unmarked in the box, shot straight at Casadei. Before the interval Casadei was once again outstanding, tipping over a left-footed swivel shot from Liberali that was heading for the top corner. The first half ended 1-0 to Italy, thanks also to the Titans’ defending as well as a few chances not taken by the Azzurrini. Straight after the restart Italy immediately laid down a marker and within 10 seconds had already created a dangerous situation: Camarda and Liberali combined, the latter crossed for the former who headed over, failing to take advantage of an unconvincing coming-out by Casadei. It was the prelude to the second goal, which arrived three minutes later: Di Nunzio took aim, Casadei parried but, unfortunately for him, pushed the ball towards Coletta, who finished unchallenged. San Marino protested, claiming a foul in attack by Italy. A minute later the Azzurrini made it three through Camarda, who managed to steal the ball from Montali before advancing into the box and scoring. On 52 minutes Liberali tried his luck directly from a free-kick, but Casadei punched behind for a corner. Camarda went close to his brace on 57 minutes when, picked out low by Liberali, he found space in the area and fired powerfully but off target. A few minutes later Italy almost scored a fourth twice in the same move: first Mosconi found himself one-on-one with Casadei but squandered the chance, shooting straight at him, the rebound falling to Liberali who struck first time only to see his effort deflected behind for a corner by a defender. In the final 11 minutes of normal time, Casadei pulled off three result-saving stops: the first from Olivieri on 79 minutes, shooting from a good position; the second from Maiorana, who, teed up by a header from Olivieri, volleyed only to be denied by the San Marino keeper; the third came from a carbon-copy move: same protagonists, same outcome. Right at the end Italy finally found their fourth: from a corner taken by Olivieri, Verdi met the cross and scored with a header at his third attempt of the evening. After four minutes of added time, Luxembourg referee Torres blew for full time, confirming Italy’s victory, which sends them top of the group on goal difference, level on points with Greece, who beat Northern Ireland 2-0. San Marino will be back in action on Saturday at 12:00 against the Greek youth side.

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Under-17 Euro 2024 Qualifiers, DAY 1 | Italy – San Marino 4-0   ITALY Pessina; Colombo, Verde, Maffessoli, Cama; Coletta (from 63' Olivieri), Gariani (from 63' Pisani), Di Nunzio; Liberali (from 73' Plicco), Mosconi (from 83' Maiorana), Camarda (from 73' Castiello) Substitutes: Nunziante, Cocchi, Garofalo, Vezzosi Coach: Massimiliano Favo   SAN MARINO Casadei; Marani (from 41' Montali), Bugli, Marinucci; Bindi, Pasolini (from 83' Zavoli), Meloni (from 77' Canarezza), Arlotti, Forcellini; Protti (from 77' Valentini), E. Della Balda (from 83' Mularoni) Substitutes: F. Della Balda, Raschi, Contucci, Faetanini Coach: Alessandro Loris Bonesso   Referee: Ivo Torres (LUX) Assistant referees: Yannick Mentz (LUX) and Vusal Mammadov (AZE) Fourth official: Elchin Masiyev (AZE) Scorers: 8' Mosconi, 49' Coletta, 50' Camarda, 90'+4' Verde

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