Under-19s, Titans hold firm for over an hour before Serbs run riot

Second outing for the Under-19s, involved in Skopje (North Macedonia) in the qualifiers for the European Championship in this age category. After losing their opening match against Norway, Loris Bonesso’s boys this afternoon locked horns with Serbia. The Balkan side ran out 4-0 winners, but for more than an hour the Titans held their own against their peers. The Serbs started strongly right away: a cross from Radojevic for Kabic, who tried with a header, but Amici turned it behind for a corner. The Balkan team kept pushing, often trying their luck from distance. On 15 minutes, Lazetic, the young AC Milan forward, broke down the right and crossed for Mijatovic, but Amici and Guerra cleared the danger well. After several attempts the deadlock was finally broken: a cross from Milosavic found centre-back Lekovic, who headed in to make it 1-0. The Balkans did not settle and continued to press: once again Lazetic was dangerous, shooting at goal after a pass from Kabic, but Amici was outstanding and tipped the ball onto the bar. The Titans also showed themselves shortly after the half-hour mark: Valli Casadei drove at the goalkeeper before squaring for Marco Gasperoni, who however fired over the crossbar. Serbia controlled possession but did not create further clear chances. Half-time arrived with the narrowest of leads for the Balkan side. At the start of the second half, another good move from the Titans: following a free-kick, Ciacci nodded on for Gasperoni, who struck a fine volley, but Serbian goalkeeper Kalicanin beat the effort away. On 61 minutes Serbia came close to doubling their lead: yet another cross from Kabic found Mijatovic, whose header missed the target by inches. There was an immediate and positive reaction from Bonesso’s lads: Ugolini played a ball in behind for Gasperoni, who laid it back into the middle for Renzi, but his finish cleared the bar. Serbia went in search of the goal that would kill the game off, but Amici twice in quick succession denied the opposition’s attacks. However, on 68 minutes the second did arrive: a corner delivery, Kabic set himself and struck a superb volley. San Marino tried not to give in and shortly afterwards Renzi picked out Famiglietti in depth; he held off Kovacevic well and shot on goal, but Kalicanin managed to save. Just two minutes later came Serbia’s third, with Radojievic feeding Mijatovic in the box and the latter beating Amici. Serbia did not stop there and added a fourth thanks to Jan-Carlo Simic (a full-back with AC Milan’s Primavera side) who, after his first effort was brilliantly saved by Amici, was quickest to the rebound and turned it in. Serbia therefore celebrate and move onto six points in the group, level with Norway, who beat North Macedonia today. The third and final match for Loris Bonesso’s Under-19 National Team will be on Wednesday 23 November at 13:00 against hosts North Macedonia.

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Under-19, 2023 European Championship Qualifiers | Serbia–San Marino 4-0   SERBIA Kaličanin; Simić, Kovačević, Leković (from 73' Miličić), Radojević; Mijatović, Milovanovic (from 46' Šljivić), Milosavić; Lazetić (from 57' Spasojević), Kabić (from 77' U. Miladinović), Jevremović (from 46' Petković) Substitutes: J. Miladinović, Đurđević, Stjepanović, Gordić Head coach: Jovan Damjanovic   SAN MARINO Amici; Ugolini (from 85' Gualtieri), Guerra, Ciacci, Zavoli, Riccardi (from 85' Domeniconi); Terenzi (from 61' Molinari), Valli Casadei, Renzi, S. Gasperoni (from 46' Codispoti); M. Gasperoni (from 60' Famiglietti) Substitutes: Battistini, Vittori, Valentini, , Caddy Head coach: Loris Bonesso   Referee: Rob Hennessy (IRL) Assistant referees: Eoin Michael Harte (IRL) and Martin Dejanoski (MKD) Fourth official: Marjan Dejanoski (MKD) Booked: Spasojević, Lazetić, Leković; Gualtieri   Scorers: 23' Leković, 67' Kabić, 77' Mijatović, 87' Simić  

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