Italy perform well in Poland

Italy were given two tough games in Poland before securing victories in both of their away friendlies.

First victory
On Tuesday in Tychy, Italy played out a 2-0 victory. They lost Cristian Rizzo to injury in the warm-up but they broke the deadlock late in the first half when Baptistella set up Patrick Nora. On 24 minutes Omori Duarte doubled the lead and although Mariusz Milewski hit the bar for Poland, Italy were comfortable winners.

Comeback
A day later in Katowice, Italy coach Roberto Menichelli gave debuts to Alberto Melis and Alex Merlim but his side trailed 2-1 at the break as Milewski scored on three minutes and although Edgar Bertoni levelled, Cleverson struck on the stroke of half-time. But five minutes after the restart Bertoni scored again and Sergio Romano clinched a 3-2 victory just before the half-hour mark. "I knew it would be tough," Menichelli said. "But I am very happy with the reaction of the lads. We showed character not to give up despite having gone behind twice."

Romania visit
The victories stretched Italy's unbeaten run since Menichelli's appointment to eleven games and they will aim to keep that going in home friendlies against Romania on 15 and 16 December in Montesilvano and Chieti. Italy are in Group B in the UEFA European Futsal Championship, meeting Belgium and Ukraine from 19 January in Debrecen.