Italy dominated Slovenia, but only won 1-0 in their first European Under-21 Championship qualifier.
The Azzurrini started the qualification process for the 2017 European Championships in Poland, facing a Slovenian side who already had two victories under their belt in this group. The other contenders are the Republic of Ireland, Serbia, Lithuania and Andorra.
Fiorentina’s Federico Bernardeschi knocked down a cross for Danilo Cataldi, the Lazio man’s fierce strike skimming the woodwork at the Mapei Stadium.
Italy dominated Slovenia, but only won 1-0 in their first European Under-21 Championship qualifier.
The Azzurrini started the qualification process for the 2017 European Championships in Poland, facing a Slovenian side who already had two victories under their belt in this group. The other contenders are the Republic of Ireland, Serbia, Lithuania and Andorra.
Fiorentina’s Federico Bernardeschi knocked down a cross for Danilo Cataldi, the Lazio man’s fierce strike skimming the woodwork at the Mapei Stadium.
Slovenian goalkeeper Grega Sorcan was decisive in the first half, parrying a long-range Bernardeschi effort and the Gaetano Monachello follow-up.
He then beat away another Cataldi shot and got back up to block Alessio Romagnoli’s tap-in.
The deadlock was finally broken after the restart, when Kenan Barjic tripped Nicola Murru for a penalty, which Bernardeschi converted by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
It should’ve been 2-0 on the hour, but Bernardeschi managed to hit the same upright twice in a single team move, Sorcan eventually smothering as the second attempt ricocheted into his arms.
Slovenia finally made an impact coming forward, as Alessio Cragno was at full stretch to fingertip the Nik Kapun scorcher round the far post.
Rolando Mandragora was sent clear on goal by a smart chipped cross, but incredibly the 18-year-old’s header was parried from point-blank range, while Monachello was also denied.
Torino midfielder Marco Benassi was stretchered off with a bruised thigh and in the final minute Cragno was alert on a long-range Leo Stulac strike.
Italy 1-0 Slovenia
Scorers: Bernardeschi pen 51 (I)
Italy U21: Cragno; Conti, Rugani, Romagnoli, Murru; Benassi (Barreca 87), Mandragora, Cataldi (Verre 63); Bernardeschi (Verde 73), Monachello, Boateng
Slovenia U21: Sorčan; Šme, Pihler, Bajrić, Ejup; Kastrevec (Stulac 55), Kapun, Krivičič (Hotic 73), Črnigoj; Šporar; Zahovič
Ref: Scharer (SWI)