Under-21: a superb Jacopo Casadei not enough as Romania hit three

As in the reverse fixture at the Stadium, even a superb display between the posts from Jacopo Casadei is not enough to spare San Marino’s Under-21s from defeat, this time at the “Eugen Popescu” in Targoviste at the hands of hosts Romania – in another Group A match of the European qualifiers. Compared to Thursday’s game against Finland, Biancoazzurrini coach Matteo Cecchetti shuffles his pack, bringing in four new faces: Domeniconi, Meloni, Renzi and goalkeeper Jacopo Casadei – the standout performer in the first meeting. The first clear chance falls to the hosts (7’) with a pinpoint ball from Eissat for Matei’s header; he even tries a lob, but Casadei is alert and flies across to avert the early danger. Five minutes later the Sammarinese keeper again comes to the rescue, this time on Musi’s right-footed effort after a prolonged attack. The Titans grow into the game as the minutes tick by and also win some valuable set pieces. Romania create plenty – especially through an inspired Musi – but too often go for the spectacular rather than the simple option. On 27 minutes, though, Rotaru’s side show all their quality with a brilliant solo run from Biliboc, who wins his duel with Domeniconi and then goes within centimetres of opening the scoring. The Titans look to build from the back and the Romanians do not hold back in the challenges – often robust. On 33 minutes there is a new burst from number ten Musi which ends in a teasing shot that sees Domeniconi almost put through his own net. The hosts keep pushing and on 38 minutes it takes a another terrific save from Jacopo Casadei to turn away Vermeșan’s perfectly struck effort from the edge of the box. Shortly after, the Sammarinese keeper also clutches a powerful header on target from centre-back Duțu. After so much pressure, Romania finally break through on 43 minutes: following a doubtful contact right on the edge of the area between Della Balda and Biliboc, Armenian referee Gasparyan awards a free-kick from just outside the box, and on this occasion the ever-dangerous Musi manages to beat Casadei. The Sammarinese goalkeeper, however, redeems himself almost immediately (44’) by denying another attempt from Borza. After just one minute of added time, the sides head to the dressing rooms. Cecchetti makes the first change of the evening, with Chiaruzzi replacing Della Balda. Romania come out flying and even find the net with a stunning overhead kick from Biliboc, but it all counts for nothing as the ball had gone out of play from Maftei’s cut-back. On 53 minutes it is again Biliboc having a go, this time from the edge of the area, but Casadei stretches superbly once more to turn it away. Five minutes later, Romania do double their lead, again through Musi – a constant thorn in the Titans’ side. Maftei whips in a driven cross from the by-line and the number ten swivels to notch his brace. The duel is renewed shortly after between Musi and Casadei – the two outstanding protagonists on the night – but the Biancazzurri keeper denies the Romanian captain his hat-trick. There is nothing Casadei can do, though, about Mazilu’s thunderbolt from distance, with the substitute making it 3-0 on 63 minutes barely moments after coming on. Following the third goal, Romania ease off in terms of intensity, as does the tempo of the contest at the “Popescu”. On 82 minutes a heavy collision between Casadei and Eissat leaves the Titans’ goalkeeper in some pain for a few minutes, but on 89 minutes he still has the strength to beat away another attempt from Mazilu. After four minutes of stoppage time, the referee calls time. In Targoviste the hosts run out 3-0 winners. The Titans’ next assignments are scheduled for September, with home fixtures against Kosovo and Spain.

Under-21 European Championship qualifying | Romania v San Marino 3-0

ROMANIA [4-1-4-1]

Munteanu; Maftei, Duțu, Eissat, Borza (64’ Țuțu); Mihai; Musi (71’ Bana), Matei (59’ Szimionaș), Băsceanu, Biliboc (59’ Mazilu); Vermeșan (59’ Trică)

Substitutes: Lefter, Tudose, Vulturar, Dorobanțu

Coach: Răzvan Rotaru

SAN MARINO [3-5-2]

J. Casadei; Semprini, M. Ciacci, Marinucci; S. Gasperoni (73’ Riccardi), Meloni, Della Balda (46’ Chiaruzzi), Renzi (62’ M. Casadei), Domeniconi (73’ F. Ciacci); Sensoli (62’ Canarezza), Tamagnini

Substitutes: Amici, Valentini, Protti, Zafferani

Coach: Matteo Cecchetti

Referee: Artem Gasparyan (ARM)

Assistants: Atom Sevgulyan (ARM), Narek Poghosyan (ARM)

Fourth official: Zaven Hovhannisyan (ARM)

Scorers: 43’ and 58’ Musi, 63’ Mazilu

Booked: Matei, Domeniconi, Semprini

Notes: 1,755 spectators