Italy made it five wins out of five after Manolo Gabbiadini and Alberto Paloschi saw off Hungary 2-0.
Italy made it five wins out of five after Manolo Gabbiadini and Alberto Paloschi saw off Hungary 2-0.
Ciro Ferrara’s Azzurrini had won all four of their European Championship qualifying group games going into this test and aimed to maintain their 100 per cent record. Atalanta’s” data-scaytid=”8″>Atalanta’s Gabbiadini returned from suspension to partner Mattia Destro.
Hungary had a good chance early on with Bodi’s snapshot that whistled just wide, while Destro forced Gulacsi into a save from Ragusa’s assist.
The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes when Destro knocked the ball down for Gabbiadini’s smart run to drill past Gulacsi.
There was some danger when Beliczky latched on to a corner, though Destro did the same from Florenzi’s assist.
Destro really should’ve scored just before the hour mark, as he ran clear on goal from Gabbiadini’s pass, but ballooned over the bar in a one-on-one with the ‘keeper.
Instead, Siena striker Destro tried to provide an assist that Florenzi blasted just off target
Paloschi came off the bench and got his name on the scoresheet within 60 seconds. The Chievo forward was ready to tap in when Florenzi sprinted to the by-line and pulled back.
There was still time for Milan starlet Stephan El Shaarawy to earn his Azzurrini debut and he was very close to scoring, but Fiola performed a desperate last-ditch tackle as he was going clear on goal.
Italy 2-0 Hungary
Scorers: Gabbiadini 20 (I), Paloschi 79 (I)
Italy U-21: Bardi; Donati, Caldirola, Capuano, Crescenzi; Ragusa (Faraoni 62), Crimi, Marrone, Florenzi; Destro (Paloschi 78), Gabbiadini (El Shaarawy 83)
Hungary U-21: Gulacsi; Kalnoki-Kis, Kádár, Fodor, Fiola; Simon, Gosztonyi (Balazs 76); Bódi, Beliczky (Balajti 91), Windecker; Futacs
Ref: Tohver (Est)