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U21: Four-star Azzurrini Tuesday 9 June, 2009

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Pierluigi Casiraghi’s Azzurrini got ready for the European Championships by thumping Denmark 4-0 in a friendly.

The Italy Under-21 squad made short work of their Danish hosts in Farum, which bodes well for Tuesday’s tournament opener against Serbia.


Mario Balotelli took just 13 minutes to break the deadlock with one of the Inter hitman’s trademark fierce free kicks.


Denmark had only one real scoring opportunity neutralised by Atalanta goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.


The trident attack of Balotelli, Robert Acquafresca and Sebastian Giovinco had only been tested once before this game, but already seems to be gelling.


Cagliari striker Acquafresca was quick to react when Balotelli’s shot was parried by the Danish ‘keeper and double Italy’s lead.


Casiraghi switched to a 4-4-2 system for the second half and made numerous substitutions, but they also proved effective.


Daniele Dessena had been on the field for only two minutes when he ran on to Giovinco’s through ball and cheekily chipped the goalkeeper.


Bari man Andrea Ranocchia, who helped his club to promotion this season, scored the fourth in this rout late on.


The Danish ‘keeper fumbled a corner kick and Ranocchia was ready to tap in the loose ball from six yards.

Denmark 0-4 Italy
Scorers: Balotelli 13, Acquafresca 22, Dessena 47, Ranocchia 87
Denmark U-21: Lossl; Randrup, Jorgensen, Reid (L Nielsen 59) (Hamalainen 72), Kristensen; Jensen, Povlsen; Wass (Sivebaek 46), Olsen (Johansen 46), M Nielsen (Svensson 77); Agger (Rasmussen 83)
Italy U-21: Consigli (Sirigu 46); Motta (Pisano 46), Andreolli (Ranocchia 46), Bocchetti (Marzoratti 46), Criscito (Poli 59); Marchisio (Dessena 46), Cigarini (Morosini 46), De Ceglie (Candreva 46); Balotelli (Paloschi 59), Giovinco (Cerci 59); Acquafresca (Abate 46)
Ref: Vad (Hun)


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