Debutant duo on song for Italy
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Article summary
Italy 2-0 Luxembourg Arturo Lupoli and Gabriele Paonessa both scored on their Italy Under-21 debuts as the Azzurrini defeated Luxembourg 2-0.
Article body
Lupoli breakthrough
It took only 13 minutes for Derby County FC striker Lupoli to register his first goal for the U21s. The 19-year-old, who is on loan at Derby from Arsenal FC, received a pass just outside Luxembourg's penalty area and broke the deadlock with a powerful left-foot shot.
Penalty save
The visitors had the opportunity to equalise in the early stages of the second half when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Marco Motta. However, AS Roma goalkeeper Gianluca Curci dived to his right to save Jérôme Bigard's shot and spare Motta's blushes. Seven minutes from time Andrea Russotto split Luxembourg's defence with a fine pass into the path of second-half substitute Paonessa, of Vicenza Calcio, who made no mistake from close range.