Inter Milan’s Francesco Pio Esposito netted his second consecutive goal for Italy in a 1-0 win over Greece, where Borussia Dortmund’s Luca Reggiani was shown a red card just 13 minutes into his senior debut.
This victory in the international friendly on Sunday evening marks Italy’s second straight win under interim coach Silvio Baldini, who is set to return to the U21 team.
Match Report: Greece 0-1 Italy
On a night celebrating Italy’s U17 European Championship win, Pio Esposito recorded his fifth goal in just nine appearances for the Azzurri. He connected with a brilliant cross from Jeff Ekhator, executing a fine first touch before finding the net with his right foot, benefitting from a slight deflection off a Greek defender.
Esposito had another chance before halftime, receiving a through ball, but his weak shot was easily saved by Vlachodimos.
The second half commenced with Luca Koleosho striking the crossbar with a left-footed shot from close range following a cross from Seydou Fini.
Luca Koleosho plays for Italy in their friendly against Luxembourg (@Azzurri)
Pietro Comuzzo suffered a suspected calf injury and was substituted.
His substitute, Luca Reggiani, made an appearance off the bench but was sent off within just 13 minutes for a foul on Como striker Anastasios Douvikas. This occurred in the central midfield area, but since Reggiani was the last defender, he was given a straight red card.
Italy maintained a strong defensive stance until the last ten minutes, where Zafeiris struck the post with a powerful effort from close range, while Donnarumma thwarted Pavlidis shortly after.
CESENA, ITALY – OCTOBER 10: Silvio Baldini, head coach of the Italy U21 team, during the UEFA Under-21 EURO Qualifier against Sweden U21 at ad hoc Arena in Cesena, Italy on October 10, 2025. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The Azzurri’s 1-0 win rounds off their campaign for the 2025-26 season, with the national team set to return to action on September 25 in the Nations League against Belgium, with Serie A resuming on August 23.
Final Score: Greece 0-1 Italy
Goal: 18′ Pio Esposito
Greece (3-4-1-2): Vlachodimos; Retsos, Hatzidiakos, Koulierakis (46′ Rota); Vagiannidis (76′ Tetteh), Mouzakitis (76′ Zaferis), Triantis (62′ Androutsos), Kiriakopoulos (63′ Tsimikas); Tzolis (88′ Pavlidis); Masouras (63′ Kyziridis), Douvikas (88′ Kostoulas).
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Ahanor (46′ Mane), Comuzzo (55′ Reggiani), Chiarodia, Bartesaghi; Pisilli, Lipani (74′ Dagasso), Ndour; Koleosho (87′ Faticanti), Esposito (87′ Camarda), Ekhator (46′ Fini, 74′ Favasuli).