U21 Euro | Italy 1-1 Sweden: Azzurrini stopped
Italy’s 100% record was destroyed deep in stoppage time, as they once again wasted the chances to double their lead, which was contained by a last-gasp Sweden equalizer in Monza.
This was a decisive match for the group’s top, as Sweden had 10 points from four matches, while Azzurrini won all three of his matches so far. Sandro Tonali pulled back the midfield strings, with Nicolò Rovella and Destiny Udogie stepping in when Samuele Ricci and Sebastiano Esposito were injured.
Emanuel Vignato’s fantastic header was blocked by the goalkeeper’s legs, but once again Azzurrini dominated the possession without taking advantage of his chances.
Lorenzo Lucca shone terribly in goal after good work from Lorenzo Colombo, shooting high and wide from seven meters.
The Serie B sensation with Pisa compensated for that shortly after, as he was at full speed to meet Rovella’s curling cross shot at the back post. There may have been some suspicions of offside, but there is no VAR at this level.
Rami Hajal and Anthony Elanga fired the goal, while Patrik Walemark had two efforts deflected when Sweden started to pour in the hunt for a draw.
Just as they were squeezed back, Italy threatened to double the lead when Colombo’s pass sent Rovella clear on goal, but he hesitated and Samuel Brolin made a decisive save with his legs.
On the resulting corner, Colombo’s acrobatic back heel girl flashed over the target’s surface to skim off the far post.
Italy had two more great chances in the break, first the referee did not give a free kick when Matteo Cancellieri was clearly lost, then Brolin again made a decisive block on Roberto Piccoli one on one.
Moments later, Sweden got the equalizer, when Emil Holm ran the offside trap and hit a ball over everyone, was met by substitute Tim Prica in the back post from the empty space.
Italy 1-1 Sweden
Lucca 41 (I), Prica 92 (S)
Italy U21: Turati; Bellanova (Ferrarrini 90), Lovato, Okoli, Udogie; Tonali, Sa. Esposito, Rovella; Colombo (Cancellieri 81), Lucca (Piccoli 81), Vignato
Sweden U21: Brolin; Holm, Tolinsson, Vagic, Kahl; Nygren (Walemark 57), Gigovic (Gustavsson 72), Hussein, Elanga; Sarr (Prica 72), Hajal (Carlen 84)
Ref: Carvalho Nobre (POR)
# Under21 🇮🇹
FIN FINAL RESULTS
🇮🇹🇸🇪 #ItaliaSvezia 1⃣-1⃣
⚽️ #Lucca 42 ‘, Prica 90’ +2📋 Gli #Azzurrini sfiorano più volte il raddoppio, poi subiscono il pareggio nel finale# U21EURO #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/CNIzHR8WN1
– Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) October 12, 2021