Sweden-Italy Under 21 1-1: own goal by Parisi and equal by Rovella on a penalty

With a success Nicolato’s team would have won the qualification, back from the away game with the certainty of the play-offs. A draw comes in comeback after the goal conceded to the ninth: for the azzurrini Rovella on the net from the spot

by our correspondent Alex Frosio

June 9
– Helsingborg (Sve) –

Twelve shots on goal, more than half of which were crazy occasions. But it is scored only on a penalty. So Italy takes the tie away from Helsingborg which means at least play-offs. He was hoping for immediate qualification, and he tried with all his might. Again, the huge volume of play does not turn into goals. Now it will be enough not to lose against Ireland, in Ascoli next Tuesday, to take the pass for the European Championship. Sweden, on the other hand, is eliminated: with the draw there is nothing.

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At a disadvantage

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As one had guessed on the eve, Nicolato models Italy on 3-5-2, with Okoli, Lovato and Pirola as a defensive trio, Bove right midfielder with Ricci and Rovella, Cambiaghi alongside Pellegri in attack. The new system, compared to the usual 4-3-3 (derogated from 4-2-3-1 only in Luxembourg), causes a “delay” in understanding distances well. The start is complicated, even from the blow to the face that Lovato immediately receives from Sarr and from the sparks between Pellegri and Vagic when the game is stopped. The Azzurri do not enter the game very well. And at 9 ‘Sweden is ahead: from the corner, they touch the yellow jerseys in the area three times in a row, until Gustafsson’s cross-shot that Paris corrects behind Plizzari, substitute for the injured Carnesecchi. Sweden tries to take advantage of the blue difficulties. Gustafsson tries his right fly from outside, high, at 16 ‘, while at 20’ Lovato, to whom Sarr destroys the right shoe, has to get out. In his place Viti: debut in Under 21 for the Empoli defender, who takes the center-left, with Pirola goes to the center of the trio. Slowly Italy enters the race. Cambiaghi is the most sparkling, he often moves to the left where he combines well with Parisi. We maneuver a lot on the outside, little in the area and shooting. But at 36 ‘there is an equal opportunity: corner of Rovella, head of Pirola, flash of Brolin diving. Pirola himself, on 38 ‘, is too soft on Al Hajj who runs away, Plizzari forces him to widen, then manages to intercept Jansson’s shot. Cambiaghi keeps the Azzurri up: at 39 ‘escape and left, Brolin somehow defends himself. At 42 ‘the Swedish goalkeeper misjudged Pellegri’s header from Cambiaso’s cross, saving him the crossbar.

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Failed comeback

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The interval is good for Italy, which returns to the field more decisive. And equalized in the 13th minute. Cambiaghi serves on the race Parisi who pretends and jumps Holm, who touches him. The Belgian referee Verboomen first thinks about the simulation, then realizes that the foul has occurred. And then Rovella goes to the spot and makes no mistake. At game time, blue protests: Ousou already warned stops Pellegri, Verboomen pardons him. Nicolato feared the athletic condition of the Swedes, but Italy has more. Much more. Running, desire to win, intensity. And from the half hour onwards, the Azzurri build an incredible amount of chances. At 33 ‘Cambiaghi from the right kicks on Brolin’s body. At 36 ‘Esposito, having entered Pellegri’s place, turns into the area, but Brolin stretches prodigiously. Again: at 41 ‘Cambiaghi snatches Ousou and kicks, Brolin rejects, Gaetano (entered for Bove) ends weakly. At 42 ‘it’s up to Cambiaso: return from the right and left-handed, outside the net. Immediately afterwards Holm was sent off: direct red for reaction to Rovella who had held him back. And Italy tries again and again. At 46 ‘opening of Ricci for Parisi who flies on that band: Brolin again closes the mirror. At 48 ‘Esposito drinks Ousou and, guess what, the usual Brolin parries. Last chance at 4 ‘of recovery: Esposito on the fly in the area, central. Block Brolin. What a nightmare, this concierge.

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