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Francesco Camarda Scores as Italy U21 Beat France 2-1

Francesco Camarda scored the opening goal as Italy's Under-21 side beat France 2-1 in a friendly in Laval on Friday, November 13. The AC Milan

By Alistair Sterling

November 14, 20262 min read

Francesco Camarda Scores as Italy U21 Beat France 2-1

Francesco Camarda scored the opening goal as Italy's Under-21 side beat France 2-1 in a friendly in Laval on Friday, November 13. The AC Milan teenager started at centre-forward and gave Italy the lead in the 54th minute.

Camarda converted a pass from Matteo Dagasso with a sliding right-footed finish inside the box. For a split second the ball looked overhit, but he got to it and found the net.

How the match unfolded

Camarda found space in the middle of France's defence before taking Dagasso's pass. He was involved in the play throughout his hour on the pitch before coming off.

France equalized through Versini. Lipani then restored Italy's lead to settle the result.

Davide Bartesaghi, also of Milan, played the full 90 minutes for Italy under coach Silvio Baldini. Sankhoun Diawara, another Milan player, featured for France until the 84th minute.

A welcome goal for Camarda

The goal was the first by a Milan player during this international break. It also came at a useful moment for Camarda, whose season with his club has been slow.

He has played only 119 minutes across Serie A and the Europa League and has not yet scored. A loan move appears to be on the cards, though the January transfer window is still about a month and a half away.

Baldini named his starting XI a day ahead of the match, with Camarda leading the line. Italy are also due to play Belgium in a second friendly during this window.

The Azzurrini, as the Italy youth side is nicknamed, had already qualified for the U21 European Championships during the previous international break.

Elsewhere for Milan's internationals

Switzerland drew 0-0 away to Slovenia in Maribor, a result that secured first place in their group with 13 points and promotion to League A of the UEFA Nations League. Milan midfielder Ardon Jashari stayed on the bench.

Pervis Estupiñan came on in the 85th minute of Ecuador's 2-0 home friendly win over Costa Rica, with Caicedo scoring twice.

Italy's senior side beat France 3-1 at San Siro on Thursday in the Nations League, drawing level with them at the top of Group A1. Their next opponent in the race for the quarterfinals is Belgium.