Azzurrini defeat Belarus 2-1 and march on to semi-final vs. Germany

By: Francesco | June 23rd, 2009

The Italy U-21 side went into their last group game with 4 points and only needed a draw to advance to the semi-final, but a win would assure first place in the group. Italy were without Mario Balotelli, who was serving his one-match ban and there was watching from the stands. Casiraghi “officially” put out a 4-3-3 with Ignazio Abate in Balotelli’s place, but it was in fact a 4-4-2 with De Ceglie and Abate on the flanks and Sebastian Giovinco supporting Robert Acquafresca.

Basically, the story of the game was this: Italy dominated and had many chances, but simply could not convert the chances into goals. With Sweden leading in the other match, Italy needed to win at all costs to finish first. Time and time again the Azzurrini bombarded the Belarus goal and took advantage of their rather shaky defense, but they just could not get that final touch on the ball.

Paolo De Ceglie had to go off in the 15th minute of the game because of what looked like to be an ankle injury and Daniele Dessena took his place. There was a point around the 30th minute where Italy had at least 5 clear chances in a row (including a clearance off the goal line that seemed to be cleared using an arm) and still the score was 0-0. With the first half ending, Belarus struck Italy on the counter and scored. It was a nice cross and and nice run and finish from Kislyak, but Italy didn’t deserve to be down. In first half stoppage time, Italy pressed into the Belorussian area and a cross was played in and handled by the Belarus captain Afanasiev. The referee pointed to the spot, Acquafresca stepped up, and he converted the penalty to put Italy level going into the second half.

The second half was more of the same, with Italy pressing forward but not finishing anything. Belarus had some chances as well, but the Italian defense held strong, especially Salvatore Bocchetti. Antonio Candreva was brought on for Abate and he made an immediate impact. Candreva slotted a perfect pass through the defense for Giovinco, who missed 1 on 1 with the keeper. However in the 75th minute a similar play went through. Giovinco slipped it through this time for Candreva who beat the offside trap and passed it across the net for Acquafresca who scored on the empty net (3rd of the tournament) and put Italy ahead 2-1. Italy held for the rest of the second half and finished the group in first place with 7 points. They will now face Germany on Friday at 2:45 PM EST for a chance to get to the final. Italy will have Balotelli back but will have to do without Claudio Marchisio, who picked up a yellow card and therefore is suspended for the semi-final.

BELARUS (4-2-3-1): Chesnovski; Shitov, Verkhovisov, Oispovich, Bordachov; Kislyak (dal 37’ s.t. Volodko), Sivakov; Afanasiev (dal 22’ s.t. Gigevich), Krivets, Kovel; Komarovski (dal 36’ s.t. Yurchenko). (Gomelko, Kovalevski, Martynovich, Balanovich, Sachivko, Putilo, Veretilo, Yanushkevich, Chukhlei). All: Kurnenin

ITALIA (4-3-3): Consigli; Motta, Andreolli, Bocchetti, Criscito; Marchisio, Cigarini (dal 40’ s.t. Morosini), De Ceglie (dal 14’ p.t. Dessena); Giovinco, Acquafresca, Abate (dal 17’ s.t. Candreva). (Sirigu, Seculin, Pisano, Ranocchia, Marzoratti, Poli, Cerci, Paloschi). All: Casiraghi

GOALS: