Italy’s Under-21s came out on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller, losing 3-2 to Portugal in tonight’s friendly in Estoril.
Luigi Di Biagio returned to the bench following his spell as caretaker Italy CT, but his side fell 2-0 behind inside 20 minutes thanks to a brace from Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Diogo Jota.
The first goal was a defensive mistake by Milan full-back Davide Calabria, and that was a theme throughout the game.
Italy’s Under-21s came out on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller, losing 3-2 to Portugal in tonight’s friendly in Estoril.
Luigi Di Biagio returned to the bench following his spell as caretaker Italy CT, but his side fell 2-0 behind inside 20 minutes thanks to a brace from Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Diogo Jota.
The first goal was a defensive mistake by Milan full-back Davide Calabria, and that was a theme throughout the game.
The Azzurrini pulled one back through Vittorio Parigini of Torino, but another defensive mix-up allowed Diogo Gonçalves to make it 3-1.
Federico Bonazzoli pulled one back from the penalty spot, but Italy couldn’t find an equaliser.
Portugal Under-21s 3-1 Italy Under-21s
Jota 12 19 (P) Parigini 29 (I) Goncalves 44 (P) Bonazzoli pen 59 (I)
Portugal: Pereira; Fonseca, Fernandes, Ferro, Ribeiro; Eustaquio, Rodrigues, Horta; Jota, Xadas, Gonçalves
Italy: Scuffet; Calabria, Mancini, Romagna, Petretta; Murgia, Locatelli, Barella; Verde, Cutrone, Paragini