Italy U21 started their journey towards the European U21 Championship with a 3-0 win over Luxembourg, when captain Sandro Tonali contributed two and half assists.
The games was played at the Castellani in Empoli, when goals from Lorenzo Pirola and Matteo Cancellieri helped the Azzurrini pick up three points in their first game in the European Championship Qualifiers.
Tonali’s free kick found Pirola at the far post, who gave Paolo Nicolato’s men the lead after only seven minutes.
Five minutes later, Tonali troubled Luxembourg with another free kick from the left, when captain Mathias Olesen tried to intercept but ended up sending the ball into his own net.
Tonali was instrumental as Nicolato’s men picked up the win, providing another assist when Cancellieri scored the third goal of the match after 50 minutes.
The Milan midfielder found the Hellas Verona striker with a brilliant pass and Cancellieri did well to dribble two opponents before he smashed it into net.
Italy U21 3-0 Luxembourg U21
Pirola 7, Olesen own goal 12, Cancellieri 50
Italy U21 (4-3-3): Carnesecchi; Bellanova, Carboni, Pirola, Udogie (dal 61′ Calafiori), Ricci, Tonali, Rovella (dal 76′ Fagioli); Colombo (dal 61′ Salcedo), Piccoli (dal 46 Yeboah), Cancellieri
Image credit: @Azzurri on Twitter
#Under21 🇮🇹
⏱️ RISULTATO FINALE
🇮🇹🇱🇺 #ItaliaLussemburgo 3⃣-0⃣
⚽️ #Pirola 7′, aut. Olesen 12′, #Cancellieri 50′📋 Gli #Azzurrini debuttano con una vittoria nelle qualificazioni a Euro 2023 👊🏻#U21EURO #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/BvnyFbZcbK
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) September 3, 2021
He looks transformed this season.
This could be the season Sandro Tonali steps up and takes Europe by surprise.
Couldn’t be happier for him and our Rossoneri! He’ll be like a new signing. Forza Sandro!
Lol everybody saying Tonali looks like a different player and has ‘transformed’ lol. Guys…. he’s a kid, of course he’s going to grow every year. He wasn’t even bad last season, all he needs is time and he will be the next great Italian midfielder.
Azzurri haven’t scored a free-kick goal since Pirlo scored against Mexico in 2013 Confed Cup. So great to see Tonali doing well in this regard …..