U21: Borini's Italy beat Germany

By Football Italia staff

Fabio Borini’s goal set up by Ciro Immobile has given Italy’s Under-21 side a prestigious 1-0 friendly win over Germany.

Devis Mangia tried some new faces in defence and midfield for an international friendly with their German counterparts in Andria. This is the first time the Azzurrini have ever been able to beat the Germans at Under-21 level.

Goalkeeper Bardi rushed off his line at the crucial moment to stop an Esswein solo run, then Lorenzo Insigne drilled wide from outside the box after turning his defender, while Polter fired off target on the counter with his weaker foot.

Polter was more wide awake than Bianchetti and robbed him in the box, but Donati performed a crucial intervention to prevent a German goal.

Napoli starlet Insigne went close when his free kick dipped on to the roof of the net.

Before the break, Insigne ran on to a Rossi reverse pass and pulled back from the by-line for Fabio Borini. The Liverpool striker’s shot was charged down for a corner by the goalkeeper, but there were penalty appeals for a potential handling offence.

Italy broke the deadlock on 59 minutes when Ciro Immobile threaded through for Insigne to burst down the left and he rolled across the six-yard box for Borini to tap in.

Substite Alberto Paloschi turned a header just over the bar from a fine Donati cross from the right. Inter-owned Longo created a great chance for Saponara, who forced a tricky reaction save from the German goalkeeper.

Italy 1-0 Germany

Scorers: Borini 59 (I)

Italy U21: Bardi; Donati, Caldirola, Bianchetti (Romagnoli 81), Biraghi; Sansone (Saponara 56), Rossi, Crimi, Insigne (Frascatore 91); Borini (Paloschi 68), Immobile (Longo 77)

Germany U21: Leno (Trapp 46); Jung (Jantschke 46), Ostrzolek (Sorg 80), Sobiech, Kirohoff; Vogt (Rudiger 72), Arslan (Koch 67), Rode (Beister 46); Esswein, Hermann (Leitner 46), Polter

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow