Under 21, Italy-Denmark 1-1: Prati's magic equalizes Sorensen's advantage

Citadel, March 24, 2025 – Italy Under 21s metabolise the defeat matured in the photo finish against Holland and, in the last friendly before the European Championship played at the Cittadella tombola, drew 1-1 against Denmark. a draw that is however very tight for the Azzurrini who, after having fallen behind in the 21st minute due to Sorensen's goal, were able to react by equalising the score with Prati's magic at 37'. A goal that gave confidence to Nunziata's team that in the second half - thanks also to the changes made by the Italian coach - exponentially raised the revs of their engine, playing with quality and personality and coming close to scoring the winning goal on several occasions. Above all, the most sensational opportunity came in the last assault on Ghilardi who, on the developments of a corner kick, chipped the crossbar.

Nunziata and Kjerrumgaard's choices

Nunziata focuses on 4-2-3-1 with a completely changed formation compared to the friendly match lost against the Netherlands (ten men changed) also due to injuries that forced several players to withdraw. Desplanches was confirmed in goal, protected by a back four formed by Zanotti, Ghilardi, Bertola and Angori. The midfield trio was also completely renewed, composed of Bianco and Pisilli on the mezzali and Prati as director. Up front there are Ambrosino and Esposito, supported by Pafundi. Denmark responds with a 4-3-3: Gaei, Lazio's Provstgaard, Chukwuani and Jorgensen are the four defenders in front of Jungdal. In the middle of the field, instead, there are Boving, Jelert and Kristensen, while the offensive trident is formed by Bischoff, Kjerrumgaard and Sorensen.

First half

Italy tries to take control of the game with a patient build-up that starts from the bottom, against a Denmark that tries to stay compact, close the spaces well and in the 7th minute raises its head by pushing the Azzurri towards their midfield and creating the first goal opportunity with Sorensen who kicks high from the edge of the area. Nunziata's team takes it and responds by trying - given the Danish density in the middle of the field - to exploit the side lanes: right from the right, in the 14th minute, Esposito signs the first Azzurri flash with a diagonal that goes just wide. Italy's efforts do not seem to pay particular dividends and indeed, in the 20th minute, a naivety in the disengagement of the Azzurri arrives who give the ball to Sorensen who, after a nice exchange with Jorgensen in the penalty area, unleashes a right-footed shot that ends up in the corner and beats Desplanches for the 1-0 Danish goal. Nunziata's team feels the blow and seems to lose rhythm and polish, but in the 36th minute the shock arrives, unexpectedly: Ambrosino, set up by Pafundi, unleashes a poisonous shot from distance that is deflected into a corner. The Azzurri equaliser is just around the corner and arrives only a few seconds later: the signature on 1-1 is Prati's who picks up a rebound from the opposing defense and unleashes a splendid volley that Jungdal can do nothing about. Suddenly Italy lights up, gains confidence and closes the first half on the attack, reappearing in the area of ​​the opposing goalkeeper with Pafundi and with two potentially dangerous attempts by Ambrosino.

Second half

After the interval comes the Nunziata's first changes who inserts Sassi for Desplanches, Ndour for Pisilli and Doumbia for Bianco. Italy restarts with a good attitude, along the lines of what was shown at the end of the first half and tries immediately with a percussion of Esposito who, having entered the area, shoots a low conclusion that Jungdal neutralizes without particular problems. Without luck also the conclusion in the 49th minute of Prati. After 10 minutes of the second half, Nunziata then decides to make two more substitutions throwing into the fray Bandanzi and Fabbian who unusually takes the place of Esposito in attack and enters the game with a shot from the heart of the area that does not find the mirror of the Danish goal because the Bologna player loses support at the moment of the conclusion. The Italian winger, however, had an even better chance in the 62nd minute when he tries to deflect a shot from Zanotti but misses the back of the net by just a few centimetres. Thanks to the new additions, the Azzurri find greater quality and dynamism in the middle of the pitch and continue to push, creating another sensational goal opportunity in the 73rd minute with the new arrival Koleosho who, on a vertical pass from Baldanzi, enters the area and, slightly disturbed by an opponent, doesn't shoot well when one-on-one with Jungdal. The Roma attacking midfielder then tries his hand too, and in the 75th minute he takes matters into his own hands and unleashes a shot from the edge of the area, which ends up well above the crossbar of the Danish goal. The Azzurri believe in it and in the final segment continue to push with their heads down and at a drumming pace, but in the 88th minute they risk a very dangerous shot from the new arrival Fraulo. The last, real jolt of the race, however, is of the blue brand and it bears the signature of Ghilardi who, in full recovery, following a corner kick, misses the chance to knock him out by chipping the crossbar.

The little table

Italy Under 21 (4-3-1-2): Desplaches (from 45' Sassi); Zanotti, Ghilardi, Bertola, Angori (from 71' Koleosho); Bianco (from 45' Doumbia), Prati, Pisilli (from 45' Ndour); Pafundi (from 54' Baldanzi); Ambrosino (from 71' Palestra and from 93' Pirola), Esposito (from 54' Fabbian). CT. Nunziata. Denmark U21 (4-3-3): Jungdal; Gaei, Provstgaard, Chukwuani (from 55' Nartey), Jorgensen (from 71' Hansen); Boving, Jelert, Kristensen; Bischoff (from 86' Fraulo), Kjerrumgaard (from 71' Obi), Sorensen. CT. Hojer. Scorers: Sorensen (Denmark 21'), Prati (Italy 37'). Note - Yellow cards: Chukwuani (Denmark), Jelert (Denmark), Bischoff (Denmark), Fraulo (Denmark).