The Under-20 football teams of Romania and Italy finished tied, 0-0, on Thursday evening, in Târgovişte, in a match of the Elite League U20.
Romanian team PHOTO: Facebook
The team coached by Costin Curelea achieved a good result in front of the leader, although it was authoritatively dominated in the second half, writes Agerpres.
Romania started quite well and even managed to create some notable opportunities, after which the guests took control of the game.
Filip (CFR Cluj) had a good chance in the 2nd minute, when he restarted the volley past the guests' goal. Italy's first chance was scored by Raimondo (15), whose header did not excite Robert Popa (FCU Craiova).
In min. 23, Borduşanu's shot (Dinamo) was blocked in extremis by Angori, after which Filip sent a scissors kick.
The guests then missed through Raimondo (35), whose shot from the corner was rejected by Popa, and through Riccio (36), whose restart was blocked by Gabriela David (FC Botoşani).
In the first half, Bodişteanu escaped alone towards the opposite goal, he was held by an Italian defender, but the referee Florin Andrei let the game continue, although he could even give a red card.
In the second half, Raimondo was in the foreground with several great scoring opportunities. He sent a cross from the box (56), after which Cherubini shot over the goal from 13 meters. The same Raimondo restarted inaccurately from 11 meters (64), and then Popa stood out with his header (66).
In min. 70, Strata fouled DiStefano on the edge of the box, but the referee did not award the penalty due to the guests.
The tricolors had an action with potential towards the end (87), but Atanas Trică (CS Tunari) sent weakly towards the goal.
The match was preceded by a moment of silence in memory of former international Take Macri, who died recently.
This is the first point obtained by the Romanian U20 team in the duels with Italy U20 in the last three years, after 0-7 in 2021 (away) and 1-2 in 2022 (home).
Also on Friday, Portugal drew with the Czech Republic, 2-2.
Italy leads the Elite League U20 with 14 points (6 games), followed by Germany, 11 p (6 d), Portugal, 10 (7), Poland, 7 (4), Romania, 7 (6), Norway , 6 (3), England, 3 (4), Czech Republic, 1 (6).
Romania will play the next match also in Târgovişte, on March 26, against Poland (18:00).
Romania – Italy 0-0
Târgoviste, Stadium Eugene Popescu
Elite League U20
The teams evolved:
Romania: 1. Robert Popa (captain) – 19. Tony Strata, 4. Ştefan Duţu, 15. Sergiu Rimovecz, 3. Alexandru Şuteu – 8. Robert Filip (25. Botond Gergely, 88), 18. Szabolcs Szilagyi – 22. Antonio Borduşanu (14. Andres Sfaiţ, 60), 21. Gabriel David (6. Aurelian Ciuciulete, 73), 7. Ştean Bodisteanu (10. Ionuţ Cojocaru, 73) – 24. Vladislav Blănuţă (9. Atanas Trică, 60). Selector: Costin Curelea.
Unused reserves: 12. Alexandru Borbei, 23. Ştefan Lefter – 2. Sergiu Pîrvulescu, 5. Ionuţ Pop, 11. Doru Andrei, 16. Robert Sălceanu, 17. Denis Renta, 20. Denis Radu.
Italy: 1. Lorenzo Palmisani (12. Paolo Vismara, 88) – 2. Tommaso Barbieri (20. Samuel Giovane, 46), 4. Alessandro Pio Riccio (captain), 5. Giovanni Bonfanti (14. Iacopo Regonesi, 80), 3. Samuele Angori (13. Filippo Missori, 46) – 8. Filippo Terracciano (15. Alessandro Marcandalli, 46), 6. Lorenzo Amatucci (18. Niccolo Pisilli, 80), 10. Lorenzo Ignacchiti (16. Giacomo Faticanti, 46 ) – 7. Luca D'Andrea (21. Filippo Distefano, 39), 9. Antonio Raimondo (19. Fabio Abiuso, 88), 11. Luigi Cherubini (17. Claudio Cassano, 73). Selector: Alberto Bollini.
Referee: Florin Andrei; assistant referees: Cosmin Bojan, Cristian Ilinca; fourth official: Dan Buzărnescu
Yellow cards: Ignacchiti (42), Riccio (85).
