Italy have qualified for the European Under-21 Championship finals in Czech Republic after play-off victory over Slovakia.
The tie for a place in next summer’s competition proper was level heading into this match at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, following a 1-1 result earned in Zlate Moravce, although with the Azzurrini holding the away goal advantage.
Italy have qualified for the European Under-21 Championship finals in Czech Republic after play-off victory over Slovakia.
The tie for a place in next summer’s competition proper was level heading into this match at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, following a 1-1 result earned in Zlate Moravce, although with the Azzurrini holding the away goal advantage.
For this return leg, Luigi Di Biagio made just the one change to his line-up, bringing in Lorenzo Crisetig from the start in place of Daniele Baselli. Slovakia also made the one change, starting Ondrej Duda in place of Jaroslav Mihalik.
The home side got off to the perfect start through Federico Bernadeschi’s well-taken lob from the edge of the penalty area, giving Italy the lead after just five minutes.
Italy continued to press in the early exchanges and following a double chance for Domenico Berardi and Bernardeschi, the former’s burst into the box drew a foul and saw the award of a penalty for Italy.
Andrea Belotti stepped up and duly converted, sending Dobrivoj Rusov diving the wrong way in the process to double the home team's lead inside 15 minutes.
Things went from bad to worse for the Slovakians just past the half-hour mark, as Ondrej Duda was made to regret a ninth-minute booking by picking up a second one and his marching orders for a tactical foul on Berardi.
The second half began with Italy holding the advantage but chances at both ends, and ultimately it was Slovakia who set up a nervous final quarter, when substitute Stanislav Lobotka beat Francesco Bardi with an effort from outside the area.
The visitors were then initially awarded a penalty less than 10 minutes later when Matteo Bianchetti was adjudged to have felled Ivan Schranz, only for match official Steven McLean to consult with his assistant and reverse the decision.
The Azzurrini then suffered an injury blow when Belotti required treatment on an ankle injury and was ultimately forced off.
Immediately after Samuele Longo’s introduction in the Palermo man’s place, Italy’s task was made even easier when Slovakia has a second man pick up a second yellow card in the form of Adam Zrelak.
Tempers flared and Slovakia’s goalkeeper Rusov was cautioned for taking protests too far, whilst Coach Ivan Galad was then sent to the stands for kicking the ball away in annoyance as it came to him on the sideline.
Then, on the counter-attack as the clock ticked over 90 minutes, Longo made sure of Italy’s place in the finals next summer with a finish from a narrow angle after a counter-attack.
Italy 3-1 Slovakia (4-2 on aggregate)
Bernardeschi 5 (I), Belotti pen 15 (I), Lobotka 64 (S), Longo 90 (I)
Italy U21: Bardi; Zappacosta, Rugani, Bianchetti, Biraghi; Crisetig, Viviani (Benassi 54), Battocchio; Berardi (Baselli 86), Belotti (Longo 75), Bernardeschi
Slovakia U21: Rusov; Pauschek, Ninaj (Skriniar 21), Teixeira, Mazan; Lasik, Paur (Lobotka 46); Schranz (Melec 83), Duda, Hrosovsky; Zrelak
Ref: McLean (SCO)
Duda sent off 34 (S), Zrelak sent off 78 (S)
Image source: @Vivo_Azzurro