Welcome! Today marks the start of the U21 Euros, and as part of our coverage, we’ll be providing live updates on some of the games.
Starting with the group stage fixture between Italy and Czech Republic. To keep up with the game’s events just follow this thread!👇 #U21EURO 🇮🇹🇨🇿
Starting with the group stage fixture between Italy and Czech Republic. To keep up with the game’s events just follow this thread!👇 #U21EURO 🇮🇹🇨🇿
🇮🇹Italy go into the game as strong favourites and are also backed to perhaps go quite far in the tournament.
🇨🇿Meanwhile, Czech Republic come into the match as rank outsiders looking to spring a few surprises and cause an upset in the opening fixture.#U21EURO
🇨🇿Meanwhile, Czech Republic come into the match as rank outsiders looking to spring a few surprises and cause an upset in the opening fixture.#U21EURO
🇮🇹 So here’s the Italy starting XI (3-5-2). Tonali, Scamacca and Cutrone a few of the big names in there. Frattesi, Gabbia, Delprato and Scamacca all impressed at the u20 World Cup in 2019. #U21EURO
🇨🇿 This is how the Czech Republic look set to line up (3-5-2). The highly rated Karabec (17) starts in midfield. The majority play for clubs in their home country, Sadílek is on loan from Dutch side PSV #U21EURO
We’re underway at the Stadion Z’dežele (glad this commentary is written and not spoken!) in Slovenia.
The start of what should be an exciting competition and a good taster for the proper thing in the summer, and you can follow it all here !! AND IT’S LIVE! #U21EURO
The start of what should be an exciting competition and a good taster for the proper thing in the summer, and you can follow it all here !! AND IT’S LIVE! #U21EURO
Early chance for Italy as Frattesi links up well down the right and drives towards the box before being brought down. Scamacca’s effort from the resulting free kick sails over the bar. #U21EURO
Italy on the front foot in the opening minutes, clearly aiming to use Scamacca well, to play long balls towards him and get players running off him. #U21EURO
CHANCE! Czech Republic with an excellent opportunity to open the scoring, with the knockdown from the set piece being diverted towards goal, but the keeper sticking a leg out to deny them. #U21EURO
15 mins. Czech Republic standing strong and even pressing the Italian side, who have invited them on and then been wayward with some of their passing out the back. Czech Republic have had the better of the opening chances and are playing with a lot of urgency. #U21EURO
Italy back on the front foot now and have had lots of set piece opportunities. Scamacca has a couple of half chances with his head.
The two wing backs for the Czech Republic have enjoyed bright starts whilst Lingr has posed their biggest threat. Still 0-0 after 25 mins #U21EURO
The two wing backs for the Czech Republic have enjoyed bright starts whilst Lingr has posed their biggest threat. Still 0-0 after 25 mins #U21EURO
Czech Republic play some great football that results in Sadílek seeing his volleyed effort go wide. Lingr has enjoyed an excellent start and has had a couple of very good moments. A physical and high intensity affair thus far. #U21EURO
GOAL!!
Italy open the scoring! Frattesi’s press wins the ball in the Czech half before Scamacca lays it off to Cutrone and is then played through with an excellently weighted ball by the Wolves/Valencia man. The striker then rounds the keeper and slots home #U21EURO
Italy open the scoring! Frattesi’s press wins the ball in the Czech half before Scamacca lays it off to Cutrone and is then played through with an excellently weighted ball by the Wolves/Valencia man. The striker then rounds the keeper and slots home #U21EURO
Lingr again does excellently to bypass Gabbia and set up the counter attack as the ball ends up with Šašinka whose effort is comfortably saved.
Straight down the other end, Maggiore pounces on a loose ball and sets up Cutrone whose shot is parried behind for a corner #U21EURO
Straight down the other end, Maggiore pounces on a loose ball and sets up Cutrone whose shot is parried behind for a corner #U21EURO
HALF TIME: Italy 1 - 0 Czech Republic.
A really good first half with some quality football on display.
Italy lead but they’ve far from had it all their own way. The Czech Republic have defended well and look confident.
All to play for in the 2nd 45. #U21EURO
A really good first half with some quality football on display.
Italy lead but they’ve far from had it all their own way. The Czech Republic have defended well and look confident.
All to play for in the 2nd 45. #U21EURO
First substitution of the game a couple of minutes into the second half. Holík (who has been excellent for the Czech Republic) is forced off due to injury. Granečny replaces him. #U21EURO
Much quieter start to the second period. Maggiore with an effort from range after some good work from Sala down the left. Sadílek sees his shot dragged well wide at the other end. #U21EURO
Scamacca with a massive opportunity to double Italy’s lead! A great ball in from the right goes through Cutrone’s legs at the front post before falling to Scamacca who can’t hit the target. #U21EURO
After an impressive performance in midfield, Frattesi is replaced by Rovella for Italy after 65 minutes. Czech Republic fighting hard to get back into the game and Italy coming under a bit of pressure. #U21EURO
Lingr has the ball in the back of the net after a free flowing move by Czech Republic, but the flag is up for offside. The replay shows that he had gone just too early. Big final 20 minutes coming up. #U21EURO
Double substitution for Italy. Cutrone and Zappa make way for Raspadori and Bellanova. #U21EURO
GOAL!!
Czech Republic get the equaliser, but it’s absolutely gutting for Maggiore, who’s attempted clearing header from a free kick just flicks off his head and flies into the top corner of the Italy goal.
1-1. Game on for the final 15!! #U21EURO
Czech Republic get the equaliser, but it’s absolutely gutting for Maggiore, who’s attempted clearing header from a free kick just flicks off his head and flies into the top corner of the Italy goal.
1-1. Game on for the final 15!! #U21EURO
Italy look to respond to losing their lead as they come close twice in quick succession, first with a free kick that went through everyone before being parried wide and then via a Gabbia header which is excellently saved. #U21EURO
RED CARD !! 🔴🔴🔴
Sandro Tonali is shown a straight red card for a stamp after a duel. He walks straight down the tunnel and things go from bad to worse for Italy after losing their lead and being reduced to 10 men. 5 minutes left plus added time!! #U21EURO
Sandro Tonali is shown a straight red card for a stamp after a duel. He walks straight down the tunnel and things go from bad to worse for Italy after losing their lead and being reduced to 10 men. 5 minutes left plus added time!! #U21EURO
CHANCE!
Italy try to respond once more but Maggiore’s point blank header is straight at the keeper.
Scamacca then cuts inside on the edge of the box and curls a shot just wide. #U21EURO
Italy try to respond once more but Maggiore’s point blank header is straight at the keeper.
Scamacca then cuts inside on the edge of the box and curls a shot just wide. #U21EURO
Another RED CARD 🔴🔴🔴
Ricardo Marchizza is given a second yellow card right at the death.
Ricardo Marchizza is given a second yellow card right at the death.
FT: 1-1
Spoils are share a very feisty affair that saw two dismissals in the closing stages.
Both sides had chances but Italy will feel they should have scored more than one.
An impressive performance from the Czech Republic who deserve their point. #U21EURO
Spoils are share a very feisty affair that saw two dismissals in the closing stages.
Both sides had chances but Italy will feel they should have scored more than one.
An impressive performance from the Czech Republic who deserve their point. #U21EURO
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