It was the most feared match but the Azzurrini played their best match at the Under 20 World Cup and erased the memory of a burning European final. Evani’s boys deservedly win against France, holding the field with tactical rigor and competitive strength.
Always in the lead, they are joined by a penalty from Augustin after Orsolini had scored his third goal in this World Cup. Upon returning, concentration does not drop and a textbook action, Italy takes the lead again with a header from Panico. The angry and fruitless reaction of France is of no avail.
The Azzurrini play a great first half: well placed on the field they face the bleus without any awe that instead emerges from the side of the French who are unable to trigger their front-wheel drive. Evani plays the Vitale card from the first minute and the whole team respects the tactical instructions. It is Italy that becomes dangerous in the 15 ‘with Panico receiving a cross from the left, and able to get out of the way for a tense shot that passes just wide to the left post. Augustin, fast and dangerous, replies in the 18th minute with a lightning bolt that flies over the crossbar.
At 27 ‘Evani’s boys break the deadlock: the action starts from the left where Pezzella’s perfect cross starts and reaches Orsolini in the opponent’s area; in front of the goalkeeper the attacker from Ascoli does not forgive and gives Italy the advantage. At 34 ‘the French draw arrives: Coppolaro on the edge inside the area, puts Harit down; Augustin takes the strong and central penalty, making the French equalizer (fourth goal in this World Cup).
In the second half, the match did not lose tension and the Azzurrini in the 53rd minute with a football textbook action, put the French defense thanks to Favilli who went to the bottom passing two defenders and then crossed a delicious ball for Panico who, diving and with his head, he scores the goal of the final advantage. The French reaction is angry: Batelli lets Thuram in to give even more force to his attack; Augustin rages with his burning speed and Zaccagno, at least on two occasions, saves the Azzurra door. But it is always Italy that stings the most, so much so that, after a valuable counterattack, a goal by Orsolini in the 79th minute is canceled.
The match ends with the well-deserved victory of the Azzurrini who on June 5th, in Suwon, will face Zambia, Germany won in extra time (4-3). Now to dream is legitimate.
ct Evani
“I am happy with the result but even more with the performance of my boys: they were splendid, they did everything perfectly. The French were fearsome but we managed to limit their strength and impose our game. A great match “.
The quarter-finals: Portugal-Uruguay; Mexico-England; Italy-Zambia; Venezuela-Usa
France
-Italy 1-2
Scorers: Orsolini 27 ‘, Augustin 37’ (R), Panico 53 ‘
France (4-3-3). Lafont, Michelin, Ouguene, Diop (Boscagli 65 ‘), Maquassa, Tousart (C), Poha (Thuram 70’), Harit, Saint-Maximin, Blas (Terrier 81 ‘), Augustin. Herds Batelli. Available Bernardoni, Kwateng, Fuchs, Nkunku, Braat, Sissoko, Severin.
Italy (4-3-3). Zaccagno, Scalera (Marchizza 90 ‘), Coppolaro, Romagna, Pezzella, Orsolini (Dimarco 81’), Mandragora (C), Pessina, Vitale, Panico (Ghiglione 70 ‘), Favilli. All. Evani. A disp. Perisan, Plizzari, Sernicola,, Bifulco, Cassata, Vido.
Referee. Marciniak (POL); Var1 Zwayer (GER)
Note. Ammonites: Vitale, Mandragora, Harit
