Italy struggled far more than expected to break down Andorra, but Alberto Cerri eventually snatched the 1-0 qualifying victory.
The Azzurrini were top of the European Under-21 Championship qualifying group and visited Andorra, who were joint bottom with just three points from seven matches. Roma-owned Luca Mazzitelli was given his first start at this level with Milan’s 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma confirmed after a 4-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland.
Italy struggled far more than expected to break down Andorra, but Alberto Cerri eventually snatched the 1-0 qualifying victory.
The Azzurrini were top of the European Under-21 Championship qualifying group and visited Andorra, who were joint bottom with just three points from seven matches. Roma-owned Luca Mazzitelli was given his first start at this level with Milan’s 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma confirmed after a 4-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland.
It was a dismal first half, as Andorra tried to keep the tempo low and an Italy side wary of potential counters followed suit. The extremely windy conditions didn’t help either team.
Andrea Conti’s volley was well over and Rolando Mandragora’s header from a Mazzitelli corner whistled just wide.
Valerio Rosseti spun round on the edge of the box to force a save out of the goalkeeper and Adam Masina got on the end of a Domenico Berardi assist at the back post, but failed to keep it on target at full stretch.
Berardi also tested Victor Silverio from a tight angle, but didn’t get enough power on his finish. They started the second half more aggressively and Marco Benassi’s snapshot was charged down in the box.
Rosseti was unlucky not to open the scoring on 54 minutes when he nodded Conti’s cross on to the upright.
Mandragora unleashed a rocket from distance that Silverio flew to palm out from under the crossbar and the goalkeeper was again decisive on Berardi, possibly with the aid of a Roger Nazzaro handling offence.
Silverio out-did himself with a stunning one-handed save on Berardi after a chipped Benassi ball over the top. He then got down quickly to parry a Berardi curler and Benassi turned the rebound over, also parrying Luca Garritano’s effort.
Silverio finally made an error on a corner, so substitute Alberto Cerri was quickest to react by volleying in the loose ball from close range.
Cerri tried to set up another goal for Garritano, but Silverio came to Andorra’s rescue again.
Andorra 0-1 Italy
Scorers: Cerri 79 (I)
Andorra U21: Silverio; Rubio (Bove 89), Alavedra, Reyes (Martinez 66), Pomares; Matos, Villagrasa, Ferrè, Nazzaro (Fernendes 78); A Sanchez, Viladot
Italy U21: Donnarumma; Conti, Caldara, Romagnoli, Masina; Mazzitelli, Mandragora, Benassi; Berardi (Grassi 86), Monachello (Garritano 53), Rosseti (Cerri 72)
Ref: Marshall (NIR)