Lame first-half display spoils Malta's debut

Malta U-23 1
Buhagiar 74
Italia Lega Pro 3
Poli 8; Scapuzzi 20; Verratti 38 pen

A new team, a new adventure but the outcome was all too familiar. Malta's U-23 team kicked off their participation in the International Challenge Trophy with a 3-1 defeat to Italy's Lega Pro selection yesterday.

Hopes of a positive debut in this friendly tournament ebbed away from the moment Italy's 17-year-old playmaker Luca Verratti converted a penalty to put his team 3-0 ahead.

Italy were not exactly in a league of their own in the first half but with the locals lacking cohesion, the visitors punished their opponents' failings thanks to their tactical organisation, stout defending and the agility of their forwards.

Given that Malta's formation featured several players tipped to make the grade at senior level, one expected more from the home team who, to their credit, improved beyond recognition but they had left themselves with too much to do.

The younger elements of Malta's senior squad, namely Andrei Agius, Ryan Fenech, Clayton Failla, Paul Fenech, Edward Herrera and Steve Bezzina, were included in Carmel Busuttil's selection.

Current U-21 players Tyrone Farrugia and Steve Borg were also on the starting grid along Ian Zammit and Quilin Refalo.

Canada-based goalkeeper Matthew Felice got Busuttil's nod ahead of Glenn Zammit.

Italy drew first blood after eight minutes. Marco Verratti floated an excellent ball from a free-kick and Fabrizio Poli rose high to guide a glancing header past Felice.

The hosts had to wait until the 16th minute to fashion their first scoring chance. Clayton Failla advanced down the left before picking out Refalo. The Pietà forward flicked the ball towards Ian Zammit but his first-time shot was too central to trouble Fabio Gadignani.

Zammit and Refalo were deployed at the tip of a 4-4-2 formation. Italy coaches Giorgio Veneri and Carlo Ripari favoured a 4-2-3-1 approach with Scapuzzi their most advanced player.

Malta's first genuine opportunity helped to raise the spirits of the sparse crowd at the National Stadium but home optimism receded when Italy doubled their advantage.

Verratti jinked his way past a couple of unconvincing tackles before cutting the ball back to Scapuzzi who tapped the ball home.

Despite fielding a team of players aged 20 or under, Italy showed the better ideas going forward as Malta were outwitted in midfield where the Lega Pro youngsters had more bodies.

Eleven minutes from half-time, Failla produced a cross-shot that hit the post. However, Malta's evening took a turn for the worse when goalkeeper Felice brought down Scapuzzi in the box. Verratti, who is on the books of Delfino Pescara, made no mistake from the spot.

Busuttil's troops might have narrowed the deficit but Steve Borg's header from Zammit's free-kick was touched away by Gadignani.

Busuttil made a triple substitution at half-time. Edmond Agius, Justin Grioli and Dyson Falzon, all Valletta players, came on for Herrera, Borg and Fenech.

Five minutes into the second half, Zammit burst into the box before teeing up Refalo but the latter's effort was stopped by Gadignani.

The Maltese began the second half in lively fashion. Falzon exchanged passes with Refalo but his final shot was easily saved by the Italy goalkeeper.

For all their possession, Malta were still finding it hard to translate their supremacy into clear openings.

With 21 minutes remaining, Agius, who turned in a much-improved display in the second half, strode forward before hitting a piledriver that sailed over. Moments later, Zammit headed wide from Failla's corner.

Gadignani then distinguished himself with a top-notch save, the keeper stretching backward to palm Zammit's sweetly-struck shot over the bar.

The ensuing corner, taken by Falzon, caused a goalmouth melee and Angus Buhagiar, a second-half substitute for Refalo, stroked the ball into the net.

Malta suddenly gained courage. The woodwork prevented the hosts further reducing the deficit as Failla's thunderous drive rattled the crossbar.

Italy controlled Malta's late efforts to get back into contention but in stoppage time, Gadignani again defied Malta when pushing away Falzon's shot.

Malta U-23
M. Felice, S. Borg ('46 J. Grioli), A. Agius, T. Farrugia, S. Bezzina, E. Herrera ('46 E. Agius), P. Fenech ('46 D. Falzon), R. Fenech, C. Failla ('78 M. Bartolo), I. Zammit, Q. Refalo ('62 A. Buhagiar).

Italia Lega Pro
F. Gadignani, L. Laverone, M. Benassi, O. Branzani ('90 N. Cintoi), F. Poli, E. Pezzi, D. Bariti ('67 P. Campinoti), F. Giraldi, L. Scapuzzi ('70 S. Giacomelli), M. Verratti ('59 M. Lerda), A. Cristiani ('64 S. Malacarne).

Referee: Marco Borg.