Gaetano Monachello bagged a brace with Marco Benassi as Italy Under-21s conquered Slovenia 3-0 in a Euro qualifier.

The Azzurrini had beaten Slovenia 1-0 back in September with a Federico Bernardeschi penalty. It was their only game so far in qualifying for the 2017 European Under-21 Championships, while the hosts followed that up with two victories.

Luka Zahovic drilled inches wide early on, as did Rolando Mandragora, then a smart free kick routine saw Grega Sorcan parry from Bernardeschi at the near post.

Gaetano Monachello bagged a brace with Marco Benassi as Italy Under-21s conquered Slovenia 3-0 in a Euro qualifier.

The Azzurrini had beaten Slovenia 1-0 back in September with a Federico Bernardeschi penalty. It was their only game so far in qualifying for the 2017 European Under-21 Championships, while the hosts followed that up with two victories.

Luka Zahovic drilled inches wide early on, as did Rolando Mandragora, then a smart free kick routine saw Grega Sorcan parry from Bernardeschi at the near post.

Sorcan, a former Chievo youth team player, back-pedalled to fingertip a looping Alberto Cerri header out from under the bar.

An audacious Kinglsey Boateng overhead kick wasn’t far off target, while Alessio Cragno did well to parry an Andraz Sporar cross-shot.

On the stroke of half-time, Nicola Murru burst into the box, but was blocked by a perfectly-timed tackle. After the restart, Cerri and Marco Benassi combined to send Boateng through, forcing a desperate reaction save from six yards.

Italy continued to push with three chances in a single move. First Bernardeschi’s strike was beaten away, then Danilo Cataldi hit a fresh-air shot and eventually Benassi turned over.

On 66 minutes the Azzurrini wasted a golden opportunity, as Sorcan only parried a shot into the path of Gaetano Monachello, the Atalanta forward hitting the rebound straight at his chest.

Monachello did score a considerably more difficult chance, as Benassi pulled back from the left to the edge of the box for a half-volley.

Cagliari goalkeeper Cragno kept Italy in front with a fingertip save on the fantastic Leo Stulac chest and volley from 20 metres out.

The Azzurrini doubled their lead with another Monachello strike, as he cut in from the right and unleashed a low drive from outside the area to slot into the far bottom corner.

Benassi completed the comfortable victory when he chested down a long ball down the left, drew out the goalkeeper and nutmegged him with a left-footed finish at the near post.

Slovenia 0-3 Italy

Scorers: Monachello 71, 84 (I), Benassi 87 (I)

Slovenia U21: Sorcan; G Stankovic, Bajric, Ejup; Stojanovic, Kapun (Hotic 77), Pihler (Stulac 56), Sme; Crnigoj, Zahovic; Sporar (Bajde 72)

Italy U21: Cragno; Conti, Rugani, Romagnoli, Murru; Cataldi, Mandragora, Benassi; Bernardeschi (Monachello 61), Cerri (Verre 80), Boateng (Garritano 87)

Ref: Frankowski (POL)

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