Domenico Berardi and Marco Benassi scored scorchers as Italy Under-21s beat Lithuania 2-0 and now lead their group.
The Azzurrini were joint top of their European Under-21 Championship qualifying group with Serbia after three wins and a 1-1 draw in Novi Sad on Friday. They are now sole leaders, as today Serbia lost 2-0 in Slovenia.
Atalanta’s Alberto Grassi came in for suspended Danilo Cataldi with 18-year-old Milan full-back Davide Calabria also a new entry in Castel di Sangro.
Domenico Berardi and Marco Benassi scored scorchers as Italy Under-21s beat Lithuania 2-0 and now lead their group.
The Azzurrini were joint top of their European Under-21 Championship qualifying group with Serbia after three wins and a 1-1 draw in Novi Sad on Friday. They are now sole leaders, as today Serbia lost 2-0 in Slovenia.
Atalanta’s Alberto Grassi came in for suspended Danilo Cataldi with 18-year-old Milan full-back Davide Calabria also a new entry in Castel di Sangro.
Sassuolo starlet Berardi took just over 60 seconds to break the deadlock, as a cross was not cleared effectively and he smacked in a sensational volley with his weaker right foot.
It was almost 2-0 in spectacular fashion when Federico Bernardeschi’s low cross was flicked wide from six yards by Gaetano Monachello’s heel.
Benassi pounced on a lucky ricochet and from just inside the box unleashed a rocket that bounced in off the underside of the bar. The goalkeeper barely had time to raise his arms when it was already behind him.
Bernardeschi was only denied by a fine save at the end of a team move, as the first half was an Italian monologue.
After the break Benassi’s header sailed over and Edvinas Gertmonas got down brilliantly to palm a Monachello effort round the post.
Bologna full-back Adam Masina was given his debut, having only just got the international transfer last week. He was born in Morocco, but moved to Italy at a very young age.
Monachello’s finish flashed all the way across the face of goal, but Fiorentina’s Bernardeschi was unlucky to see his solo effort smack against the upright.
On 74 minutes it really should’ve been 3-0, but Benassi scuffed his shot straight at the goalkeeper, then Monachello wasted another golden opportunity.
Italy 2-0 Lithuania
Scorers: Berardi 2 (I), Benassi 24 (I)
Italy U21: Cragno; Calabria, Rugani, Romagnoli, Barreca (Masina 66); Benassi, Grassi, Mandragora (Verre 80); Berardi (Garritano 85), Monachello, Bernardeschi
Lithuania U21: Gertmonas; Baravykas, Janusevskis, Aleksandravicius, Cerkauskas; Artimavicius (Romanovskij 78), Silkaitis; Petravicius, Stankevicius, D Kazlauskas (Urbys 82); Spalvis (Segzda 92)
Ref: Reinshreiber (ISR)