U21, Czech Republic-Italy 1-1: Scamacca and Maggiore’s own goal

by our correspondent Alex Frosio

March 24
– CELJE (Slovenia)

A prowess by the goalkeeper, an own goal without conceding a single shot on goal in the second half, a denied penalty, two red cards: the 1-1 debut against the Czech Republic is a collection of regrets for Nicolato’s Italy.

THE MATCH

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The coach starts with “his”: in the starting eleven, 8 were with him in the 2018 U19 European Championship -the group comes from afar- plus Maggiore, Sala and Cutrone. The Czech Republic is stable at three, with two forwards supported by attacking midfielder Karabec, who in the absence of possession is in charge of following Tonali everywhere. The blue circulation is immediately affected: a free kick from Scamacca high at 2 ‘is the first ring, but the first stop, or rather the first two, are from Carnesecchi. The first was very difficult, at 11 ‘, with a header from Lingr after Krejci’s aerial assistance, a situation from position. Lingr himself tries it from the outside on 13 ‘, this time the blue 12 only has to put on gloves. Italy seems a bit scared, captain Cutrone calls Gabbia (“Come on Teo, come on!”) ​​And then shakes the team with a play, when at 17 ‘he sends Scamacca to the shot, goalkeeper Jedlicka pushes with difficulty. The action begins on the blue right, where our team identifies the most vulnerable: Sulc struggles to contain Zappa, Krejci does not have Scamacca. After an attempt by Sadilek in the 29th minute, Italy passes in the 31st minute: Frattesi goes strong on Sulc and restarts Cutrone, who invents from 10 (number on his back) a filter for Scamacca, who easily jumps Jedlicka and supports Red. The usual Lingr bites, Italy seems to be in control and at 39 ‘Maggiore shoots Cutrone, a powerful southpaw that Jedlicka must deflect for a corner.

THE SHOT

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At the beginning of the second half, the Czech Republic intends to produce the maximum effort, but Italy holds on without conceding and on the contrary, while the center of gravity retreats, almost doubling twice: in the 6 ‘with a shot from outside by Maggiore and over all in 15 ‘when Scamacca touches a low center of Zappa to the side with veil of Cutrone. At 25 ‘, a goal was rightly disallowed by Lingr, which starts offside with a cross from Granecny, positioned to the left (and much better than Sulc passes to the right). Pure Zappa, at 27 ‘, plays 2-0 before leaving for Bellanova, while Raspadori takes over Cutrone. The storm seems to have passed, and instead at 30 ‘, Maggiore extends a free kick from Karabec with his head: an own goal. Likewise. The blue reaction is overwhelming: in the 32nd minute, Tonali’s free kick was diverted to a corner by Jedlicka, miraculous immediately after Gabbia’s header. With Rovella inside for Frattesi and as assistant director, Italy’s maneuver is more fluid, but at 39 ‘Tonali is sent off, red directed at Sasinka for a stomp on the calf with the rival on the ground. But again our Under reacts and seeks the new advantage, and only Jedlicka’s exploits prevent it. Specifically, at 42 ‘he intercepts it is not known how Sala deviates facing the goal, while at 43’ Scamacca widens his aim too much. At 90 ‘episode of total doubt: Bellanova crosses low to the far post, Sala is punctual but Sulc from behind closes in a corner after contact. For the referee it is not a penalty. It almost ended in a mockery, because the second yellow for Marchizza reaches 4 ‘of recovery. Now Spain. It will be hard.