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Italy U21 2 Republic of Ireland U21 0
The Republic of Ireland under-21s can still create history despite Italy ousting the leaders of the Group One European Championship standings in Pisa on Tuesday.
The Italians, despite being decimated due to the Covid-19 withdrawals, were worth all the value of a victory that will likely award them one of the guaranteed spots for next year’s finals, but Ireland’s boss Jim Crawford has in the sights the best place for the runners-up.
The coach who replaced Stephen Kenny on the bench earlier this year has made it very clear to his players that six points from meetings with Iceland at Tallaght Stadium on 12 November and in Luxembourg five days later will secure second place.
UEFA has reserved places in the final for the top five runners-up from the nine groups and, following Tuesday’s results, Ireland has its fate in its own hands. The playoffs are not featured in this competition.
“The players are suffering from losing to Italy, but then we outlined the task for the last two games in the locker room,” Crawford said.
“This campaign is not over and we are still in an incredible position. I’m sure our players will be better equipped for the next international window after playing more competitive minutes. “
Samuele Ricci of Italy in action against Jack Taylor of Ireland during the game in Pisa. Photograph: Gabriele Maltinti / Getty Images
Ireland failed to build on a stable start in Pisa, struggling to test goalkeeper Michele Cerofolini for the entire 90 minutes.
The stopper was one of seven starters recruited into the Italian starting lineup from the under-20s after Covid-19 wreaked havoc on the preparations.
Although the virus forced a postponement of Friday’s qualifying game in Iceland and a major team overhaul, it was two of the four survivors from the original panel that did the damage to slow-moving Ireland.
Riccardo Sottil, the Fiorentina striker on loan at Cagliari, sank the opener two minutes before half-time and Wolves-loaned striker Patrick Cutrone added the second in the 62nd minute.
Aside from Jack Taylor’s early dipping volley that was off target by a yard and a half chance for Nathan Collins immediately after the restart, Ireland’s attacking threat was moderate.
In the city of the famous tower, its defense was also easily unbalanced during the 90 minutes.
Ireland were very exposed as Sottil slipped inside captain Conor Masterson to find the far corner with a stinging momentum and again when the forward squared off for teammate Cutrone to add second from close range.
Crawford added: “After we shut down for a moment to allow them in and behind us to score, the message at halftime was to stay in control of the game. That didn’t happen, and we weren’t so cool with the ball.
“It was disappointing to give away the second goal so cheap. Going down 2-0 against Italy presented us with a real uphill fight. “
IRELAND: G Bazunu (Rochdale); L O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers), C Masterson (QPR), N Collins (Stoke City), D Leahy (Dundalk); W Smallbone (Southampton), C Coventry (West Ham); J Taylor (Peterborough), C Ronan (Grasshoppers Zurich), Z Elbouzedi (Lincoln City); M Obafemi (Southampton).
Subs: D Grant (Bohemians) for Taylor, D Mandroiu (Bohemians) for Ronan, J Afolabi (Dundee) for Obafemi (all 75 minutes).
ITALY: M. Cerofolini (Reggiana); In Vogliacco (Pordenone), A Buongiorno (Turin), L Pirola (Inter Milan); S Birindelli (Pisa), S Tonali (AC Milan), S Ricci (Empoli), S Muratore (Reggiana); G Frabotta (Juventus); P Cutrone (Fiorentina), R Sottil (Cagliari).
Subs: for M Portanova (Juventus) for S Muratore (h / t), G Raspadori (Sassuolo) for Sottil (83 minutes), H Cavigliafor (Juventus) for Ricci (88 minutes).
Referee: Krzysztof Jakubik (Poland).
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