Italy kicked off the Silvio Baldini era with a 1-0 victory over Luxembourg, primarily focused on assessing the new generation of Azzurri players.
The evening’s only goal came from Pio Esposito, who found the net in the 49th minute, assisted by Pisilli. Both young talents have demonstrated their potential at high levels and could become key players for Italy’s future.
Advertisement
More significant than the scoreline is the message it conveys: following their third consecutive World Cup qualifying failure, Italy is committing to a youth-driven revival.
Despite facing a weaker opponent, the match showcased encouraging technical and mental aspects, sparking optimism that this group could lay a solid foundation for the national team’s future.
🌟 Samuel Inacio Makes His Debut
Samuel Inacio, a striker for Borussia Dortmund, made his national team debut after being born in 2008.
The young prodigy, formerly with Atalanta, was introduced late in the game.
💥 Pisilli Hits the Post: Italy Close to a Second Goal
Italy nearly doubled their lead when Pisilli executed a perfectly-timed run behind Pio Esposito and struck the ball forcefully from within the penalty area, only to see it hit the outside of the post.
Advertisement
🔝 Pio Esposito Joins Meazza and Rivera
Francesco Pio Esposito (4 goals in 8 appearances) becomes the third player in history to score more than three goals for Italy before the age of 21, following Giuseppe Meazza (11) and Gianni Rivera (5).
🎯 Pisilli Assists As Pio Esposito Scores, Italy 1-0
Italy broke the deadlock shortly after halftime with Francesco Pio Esposito’s goal: from a corner taken by Pisilli, he met the ball at the near post and headed it towards the far corner.
In the 49th minute, from a Pisilli corner, Italy’s number 9 outmaneuvered everyone at the near post to score the goal that put Italy ahead.
💣 Italy Looking Dangerous, Donnarumma Not Tested
The first half ended 0-0, but Baldini’s Azzurri showed promising attributes.
Advertisement
Despite being unable to convert their chances, the experimental national team displayed good dynamics and character. Pio Esposito attempted a cheeky backheel, while Niccolò nearly scored by hitting the side netting, and Koleosho squandered a scoring opportunity after a promising attack.
At the opposite end, Gianluigi Donnarumma remained largely untested, as Luxembourg posed minimal threats without generating genuine scoring opportunities.
🤯 Pio Esposito’s Backheel and Bicycle Kick: Italy Just Missed
Italy came close to scoring in the 25th minute with a dazzling display of skill from Pio Esposito.
Advertisement
In the penalty area, the Inter striker received a cross and attempted to deceive the defense and the goalkeeper with an effort that narrowly missed the target. Shortly after, he tried a bicycle kick from inside the box, which also went off-target.
⛔ No VAR or GLT for This Match
This friendly match featured no use of VAR or Goal Line Technology, and both teams had the option to make 11 substitutions.
🤩 Italy’s Youth Movement: Record-Setting Starting XI
Italy’s starting lineup boasted an average age of 21 years and 354 days.
Advertisement
According to Opta, this is the youngest squad fielded by the Azzurri since December 22, 1912, when they had an average age of 21 years and 308 days against Austria in a friendly, with Umberto Meazza as coach.
✅ Official Lineups
LUXEMBOURG (4-5-1): Moris; Jans, Korac, Carlson, Pinto; Thill, Martins, Olesen, Moreira, Bonhert; Sinani. Coach: Strasser.
ITALY (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Favasuli, Chiarodia, Comuzzo, Bartesaghi; Ndour, Lipani, Pisilli; Cherubini, Pio Esposito, Koleosho. Coach: Baldini
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.