U21 EURO | Montenegro 1-4 Italy: Azzurrini comeback triumph

Italy made up for a rough start to dominate with a 4-1 victory in Montenegro in the European Under-21 Championship qualifier.

The Azzurrini had won all their games until fumbling a lead to lose 2-1 to Poland on Friday.

They did the opposite in Niksic this evening, as Balsa Mrvaljevic had put hosts Montenegro in front when riding a couple of tackles to score on 37 minutes, after Dragan Miranovic threatened earlier by thumping the crossbar from distance.

Marco Palestra and Luca Koleosho both sat out bans in this game, but the Nazionale replied immediately with Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli bundling over the line from a corner.

Italy took the lead for the first time on the hour mark with Matteo Dagasso finishing off the smart team move created by Seydou Fini and Pisilli.

They then ran riot, ratcheting up the scoreline with Francesco Camarda’s impressive shimmy and angled drive, then Fini fired in right-footed at the near post.

Lecce striker Camarda went off with a knock to the knee.

The result keeps Italy in second place, three points behind Poland.

Mrvaljevic 37 (M), Pisilli 42 (I), Dagasso 60 (I), Camarda 64 (I), Fini 74 (I)

Montenegro U21: Radanovic; Roganovic, Melentijevic, Dakic, Vukotic; Miranovic (Perovic 75), Vukanic (Knezevic 59); Mrvaljevic (Carevic 59), Jukovic (Kostic 67), Djukanovic; Perisic (Savovic 75)

Italy U21: Palmisani; Bartesaghi, Mane, Comuzzo, Fortini; Dagasso (Zeroli 72), Lipani (Idrissi 86), Pisilli; Cherubini (Faticanti 86), Camarda (Cisse 78), Fini (Venturino 78)