Italy enjoy winning start

By Paul Saffer at Stadio Ettore Mannucci

Andrea Russotto's emphatic finish proved enough to give UEFA European Under-17 Championship hosts Italy a winning start, although they had to withstand a barrage of Turkish pressure.

Resolute hosts
Indeed, it was Italy's defence that was by far the busiest, especially in the first half, when Turkey had a goal disallowed and struck the woodwork. But the Italians, as ever, proved resolute and their goal puts them in a strong position in Group A.

Points paramount
Both teams knew that at least one point today was vital, with pool rivals England having already set out their stall with a 4-0 win against Belarus. The hosts combined Salvatore Foti and Russetto up front, while Turkey's attack was led by Tevfik Köse and Özgürcan Özcan, and it was they who had the better of the early play.

Turkish efforts
Barely a minute had gone when Caner Erkin's fine cross was met by Köse's head, forcing Italian goalkeeper Enrico Alfonso to save. Shortly afterwards Köse's free-kick curled into the goal, but a touch from the offside Nuri Sahin meant Italy were reprieved.

Clever ball
Still Turkey dominated, and Alfonso was brought back into action by Özcan. The tournament hosts gradually settled, and Russotto's clever ball sent through Foti, but the forward shot wide. Sahin and Köse went close at the other end, while Russotto sent an effort over the bar. The Italian starlet then produced some fine skills, flicking the ball over his marker but then lofting over.

Erkin wide
On the counterattack, Erkin shot wide, and Turkey continued to sweep forward at pace while Italy, who by now had withdrawn Michel Bachar in favour of the talented Davide Di Gennaro, relied on their considerable range of individual tricks. Twice in the last five minutes of the half, Alfonso was a relieved man.

Alfonso relieved
First he emerged from his box to control the ball but was tackled by Köse, who with the goal at his mercy shot past the post. Then Özcan picked up the ball in front of the target but somehow hit the crossbar and Alfonso recovered to save his follow-up.

Hosts ahead
Having swapped Ivan Castiglia for Marco Mancosu in midfield, Italy pushed further forward after the break. And it was the previous substitute, Di Gennaro, who set up the hosts' decisive goal ten minutes into the second period, playing the ball for Russotto to shoot past Volkan Babacan.

Saving tackle
Mancosu was then denied by the diving Turkish custodian, while Italy were grateful to Michele Cremonesi for a saving tackle when Sahin sent through Özcan. Alfonso saved from Köse, as the Italians began to be put under pressure. However, Cremonesi and Massimiliano Tagliani were an assured combination in the Italian defence, once they came to terms with the pace of Turkey’s forwards. Sahin did find substitute Aydin Yilmaz, but he shot across the face of goal.

Thursday tests
On the break, Davide Brivio curled wide, and Turkey, for whom Köse rounded Alfonso only for his lay-off to be intercepted and Deniz Yilmaz had a shot blocked by Alfonso, ended the game a frustrated team. They must now avoid defeat against England here on Thursday to have any realistic chance of making the semi-finals, while Italy know victory against the Belarussians in Castelfranco di Sotto earlier the same afternoon would all but ensure qualification.