Italy’s Under-21 qualifying campaign got off to a bad start, as despite Alberto Paloschi’s goal, Wales pounced on defensive errors to win 2-1.
Pierluigi Casiraghi’s boys began their journey to the 2011 European Championships with a trip to Swansea.
They got off to a very rough start, as nine minutes in Empoli defender Gabriele Angella gave away a corner kick, which was then floated in for defender Ribeiro to open the scoring.
Mario Balotelli tried to take on the Welsh defence single-handed, but the home side threatened a second when Vincenzo Fiorillo’s woeful clearance went straight to Church.
Italy equalised on 23 minutes when Parma striker Paloschi rose above the crowd to nod in Antonino Barilla’s cross.
Barilla’ nearly turned it all around seconds later with a left-foot strike hitting the side-netting, but Fiorillo was again uncertain, allowing Vokes to head wide.
After the break Maxwell parried a Bianchi long-range screamer with some difficulty and Balotelli tested the goalkeeper on the counter, as Italy started to pile on the pressure in Swansea.
Once again, their errors in defence were disastrous, as first Evans got in front of Juventus full-back Lorenzo Ariaudo to nod inches wide, then he made up for that error by flinging himself at another Evans effort to stop a likely goal.
Wales restored their advantage with a splendid right-foot volley from Arsenal starlet Aaron Ramsey.
Casiraghi only introduced Manchester United man Federico Macheda for the final 15 minutes and it gave them an extra edge. Almost immediately Ribeiro required a desperate defensive intervention to prevent Paloschi scoring from Balotelli’s assist.
This obviously left them unbalanced and risked going 3-1 down when Vokes turned a Ramsey corner on to the crossbar with eight minutes to go.
Balotelli had the chance to take a free kick in stoppages just outside the area, but he slipped during the run-up and sent the shot well wide.
Wales 2-1 Italy
Scorers: Ribeiro 9 (W), Paloschi 23 (I), Ramsey 68 (W)
Wales U-21: Maxwell; Eardley, Ribeiro, Blake (Morris 65), Taylor; Ramsey, King, Bradley, MacDonald; Church (Evans 61), Vokes
Italy U-21: Fiorillo; Bellusci, Ranocchia, Angella, Ariaudo; Bianchi (Macheda 75), Soriano (Bolzoni 83), Poli, Barilla (Pasquato 71); Balotelli, Paloschi
Ref: Layushkin
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