UEFA U19 Euros: Northern Ireland swept aside by classy Italy

Italy were the far superior side on the night and a huge step up from the Ukraine side Northern Ireland drew 0-0 with at the same venue on Monay night.

The gulf in class was evident from the outset and it was patently obvious why the Italians are the favourites to win the competition.

Typically solid at the back, both creative and hard-working in midfield, with constant movement up top, they were difficult for Gareth McAuley’s young side to contain at times. While Francesco Camarda will get the plaudits for his brace of goals, in centre-back Filippo Mane and captain Luca Lupani in holding midfield, they had two standout players who look destined for a long career in the game.

McAuley made four changes to the starting line-up from that Ukraine draw.

Daithi McCallion, Lewis Trickett, Sam Glenfield and Braiden Graham all dropped to the bench, with Geroge Goodman, Dylan Stitt, Reece Evans and Jack Doherty all coming in.

As expected, it was Italy who made all the running in the opening quarter of an hour, with Northern Ireland failing to make anything stick when they did get the ball in their opponents’ half.

After captain Luca Lupani fired over early on and then Simone Pafundi’s goalbound effort was deflected over the bar, the side – managed by former Manchester City striker Bernardo Corradi – took a deserved lead on 15 minutes.

Hesitant defending by Northern Ireland saw them fail to clear a bouncing ball on the edge of the 18-yard-line. Kevin Zeroli wasn’t about to wait and the AC Milan forward pounced to drive his shot home, despite the best efforts of Pierce Charles in the Northern Ireland goal.

They almost doubled their lead five minutes later, cutting through the home defence again, with Aaron Ciammaglichella looking destined to make to 2-0. However, Nottingham Forest full-back Joel Thompson made a superb last-ditch diving block to deflect the ball over the crossbar.

Completely against the run of play, McAuley’s men almost drew level on 27 minutes.

A short free-kick saw Kieran Morrison lay the ball off to Blaine McClure on the left and his delivery fell to George Goodman in the box.

The centre-back managed to poke it goalwards, only for the outstretched leg of Italy keeper Renato Marin to prevent it from nestling in the bottom left corner.

At the other end, Pafundi and then Francesco Camarda both went close, before a powerful run down the left by Liverpool’s Kieran Morrison for Northern Ireland ended with his shot being blocked.

When it looked as if Northern Ireland would get to the break just one goal behind, that all went up in smoke two minutes into stoppage time.

A long ball down the left channel looked comfortable for George Goodman to deal with. However, his attempted backpass to Charles was far too short and that allowed Francesco Carmarda to seize upon it and bear down on goal. He still had a lot to do, but he did it in style, curling an exquisite shot past the helpless Charles and in off the right hand post.

They wasted no time getting their third, less than three minutes into the second period.

Half-time substitute Vittorio Magni was found in acres of space down the right by Mattia Mannini, and Magni’s inch-perfect low cross found the unmarked Camarda six yards out, with the simplest of tasks to sidefoot past Charles.

Eight minutes from time, substitue Braiden Graham showed a bit of quality to find space on the left hand side of the box before seeing his fierce low drive take a defelction to whistle just past the post for a corner.

Senior Manager Michael O'Neill and Under-21 boss Tommy Wright were interested onlookers in the Larne rain and they, like everyone else, will be hoping the youngsters can bounce back from this defeat at the weekend.

For Northern Ireland, it doesn’t change what they need to do in their final group match on Sunday against Norway at Seaview.

A win would guarantee them at least third spot and a potential place in the Under-20 World Cup. Depending on how Ukraine fair against Italy on the same day, victory for McAuley’s side could also see them into the semi-finals.

MATCH STATS

Northern Ireland: Charles, Briggs, Goodman (Atcheson 64), Lennon (C), Thompson, McClure (Trickett 64), J Doherty, Morrison (A Dohrerty 77), Evans (Graham 55), Stitt (Smith 77)

Subs not used: Munn (GK), Hamilton, McCallion, Glenfield

Italy: Marin, Mannini, Bartesaghi, Mane, Chiarodia, Lupani (C) (Anghele 64), Di Maggio (Harder 55), Ciammaglichella Magni H-T), Zeroli (Romano 55), Parfundi, Camarda (Sia 71)

Subs not used: Magro, Ebone, Corradi, Pagnucc

Referee: Ishmael Barbara (Malta)

Attendance: 2,003