Portugal 0-0 Italy
The Portugal U21 squad went into their second group stage match at Mestsky Fotbalovy Stadion knowing that a win would secure them a place in the semifinals of the U21 European Championship.
Instead, they were outshot, outmaneuvered, and generally outclassed by Italy, and were fortunate to come away with a point. Portugal failed to register a shot on target until very late in the second half, and will head into their final match against Sweden knowing they must perform better as a team to have a chance to progress in this tournament.
Portugal made two changes to the side that faced England three days prior with Rafa Silva and Carlos Mané entering the side, the latter in place of the injured Ivan Cavaleiro. With England having beaten Sweden 1-0 earlier in the day, the Portuguese were hopeful of booking their place in the semifinals with a victory over Italy, who couldn't lose if they were to have any chance of progression.
It must be said that the first half began rather ominously for Portugal as they allowed Marco Benassi too much time and space on the ball and the Italian midfielder called Jose Sá into action with a stinging drive within 10 seconds of the kickoff, earning the Italians their first corner kick of the match.
Jose Sá stars
Sá, to his credit, picked up where he left off from the England match, and made an even better save in the 6th minute when Andrea Belotti ran onto a cross-field ball from Berardi. Meanwhile, Portugal were finding it hard to create passing lanes between the disciplined ranks of Italian defenders. It was not until the 17th minute before Sérgio Oliveira fired in Portugal's first shot of the evening after receiving a pass from William Carvalho on the left flank.
Jose Sá was again called upon in the 21st minute, this time to push out a dangerous cross from the right after Raphael Guerreiro had carelessly given away possession. Marco Benassi then brought another fine save from Sá minutes later when he latched onto a botched clearance at the top of the penalty area.
Italy clearly wanted the game more at this point, and Portugal had yet to ask any real questions of the Italian defence as a result of their poor midfield interplay, but they finally created a decent chance in the 36th minute through João Mário. In their first slick passing move of the match, the ball fell to Sérgio Oliviera who slid a delightful ball across the middle of the penalty area for Mário, but the Sporting midfielder's attempt at a finish was woefully executed.
The Italians hit back through Belotti, who drew yet another smart save from Sá in the 42nd minute. But despite their talent and experience, Portugal looked susceptible to Italy's counterattacking threat in the first half while failing to trouble Francesco Bardi in goal.
Italy renew dominance
The second half began almost identically to the first with Italy very nearly taking the lead inside a minute. A cross from Cristiano Biraghi was met by the head of Belotti, who somehow managed to loop the ball over the advancing Sá and onto the crossbar.
Portugal looked out of ideas, and Gonçalo Paciência was sent on for Rafa Silva in the 53rd minute. Benassi fired another shot wide moments later, but then Portugal finally began to sustain some pressure. Bernardo Silva in particular had several inspiring runs at the Italian defence, but still Portugal failed to trouble Bardi in the Italian goal. The Azurri really should have scored in the 71st minute after Zappacosta beat Guerreiro along the byline, but his cross was somehow put out for a goal kick by Belotti.
Iuri Medeiros came on for Bernardo Silva for the final minutes, but it was again Italy who created another decent chance to score with Belotti fluffing his lines along the left side of the penalty area when he was well placed to test Jose Sá.
Late chances
Portugal piled on some late pressure and finally drew a save out of Bardi when Medeiros fired a low drive towards the right post in the 89th minute. But Portugal will thank the heavy right foot of Cristiano Biraghi for not punishing them late after he was sent clean through on goal but allowed Portugal's defence to recover with an awful first touch.
Rui Jorge's men were once again below par on the night, and will thank Jose Sá and Italy's profligacy for the result. Despite some individual moments of brilliance from Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho, and Carlos Mané, there were plenty of reasons to worry as João Mário and Raphael Guerreiro struggled mightily against the tactical superiority of the Italian U21s. The 0-0 result nevertheless leaves Portugal well placed to progress should they secure a favorable result in their last match while Italy will likely feel that their play was not justly rewarded.
Portugal will finish up play in Group B on Wednesday against Sweden.
Italy: Bardi, Biraghi, Rugani, Romagnoli, Zappacosta, Crisetig (Trotta, 76'), Benassi, Battochio (Bernardeschi, 62'), Cataldi, Belotti (Viviani, 85'), Berardi
Portugal: José Sá, Ricardo Esgaio, Paulo Oliveira, Tiago Ilori, Raphael Guerreiro, William, Sérgio Oliveira, João Mário (Tozé, 81'), Bernardo Silva (Iuri Medeiros, 78'), Rafa Silva (Gonçalo Paciencia, 54'), Carlos Mané
by Nathan Motz
