Italy U21 1-0 Netherlands U21: Borini sets up final clash versus Spain
The Liverpool striker proved the difference between the two sides in Petach-Tikva, as the Azzurrini are on course to end their nine-year barren spell in the junior tournament
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A closely-contested battle was played out in Petach-Tikva, with the Dutch seeing far more of the ball than their Italian counterparts, but Fabio Borini scored the winning goal midway through the second half.
on the edge of the box, and the AZ man proceeded to curl a fine attempt towards goal which crashed against the post.
Netherlands continued to stretch the Italians with their imaginative wing play, and Ola John bypassed Giulio Donati with an intelligent pass, although Kevin Strootman could only flash his shot wide of the target.
Netherlands continued to stretch the Italians with their imaginative wing play, and Ola John bypassed Giulio Donati with an intelligent pass, although Kevin Strootman could only flash his shot wide of the target.
But while the Dutch dominated possession for large spells, they were always susceptible to the Azzurrini's threat on the counter-attack, and Ciro Immobile came close to breaking the deadlock.
The quick-fire nature of Italy's response acted as a wake-up call for Cor Pot's young charges. Daley Blind, from his left-back position, suddenly called Francesco Bardi into action with a vicious long-range strike.
The quick-fire nature of Italy's response acted as a wake-up call for Cor Pot's young charges. Daley Blind, from his left-back position, suddenly called Francesco Bardi into action with a vicious long-range strike.
However, Italy again showed their
prowess on the break just moments later when Borini latched onto an
inch-perfect through ball but could only fire his finish into
side-netting with Bruno Martins Indi nearby.
An intriguing first half came to an end, but sadly for the footballing purists in Petach-Tikva, the remaining period never quite compared to the heights of the first as opportunities came at a premium.
In fact, it took 20 minutes for the match to open up. First up, Borini stabbed Insigne's lay-off wide of the post, before Strootman was too late to read Luuk de Jong's low cross with the goal at his mercy.
But 11 minutes from time, Italy found the all-important goal as Insigne picked out Borini in the box with a low pass, and he turned acutely before side-footing the finish into the bottom-right corner.
Netherlands bombarded the Azzurrini in the closing stages, mainly via the aerial threat of Leroy Fer, but Bardi was equal each and every time to deny the Jong Oranje from the chance of winning a third title.
An intriguing first half came to an end, but sadly for the footballing purists in Petach-Tikva, the remaining period never quite compared to the heights of the first as opportunities came at a premium.
In fact, it took 20 minutes for the match to open up. First up, Borini stabbed Insigne's lay-off wide of the post, before Strootman was too late to read Luuk de Jong's low cross with the goal at his mercy.
But 11 minutes from time, Italy found the all-important goal as Insigne picked out Borini in the box with a low pass, and he turned acutely before side-footing the finish into the bottom-right corner.
Netherlands bombarded the Azzurrini in the closing stages, mainly via the aerial threat of Leroy Fer, but Bardi was equal each and every time to deny the Jong Oranje from the chance of winning a third title.
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