The important thing is the three points. And that’s what Les Bleuets reaped against Italy (2-1) this Thursday, in Cluj, for their first outing at Euro U21. Goals from Arnaud Kalimuendo and Bradley Barcola for the France Espoirs team, effective in both surfaces for lack of having been sovereign, while the former Monegasque Pietro Pellegri has equalized time for the Italians, who could have (should have ?) equalize in extra time when the ball seemed to have entirely crossed the line. No Var for this tournament in Romania.
The Blueberries had in any case understood the instructions of their coach: start the meeting strong. They confiscated the ball from the Italians during the first 10 minutes, creating a few chances, often by dribbling, which gave four corners (3rd, 4th 5th, 7th), without forgetting this strike from Gouiri, off target (17th). The first Italian alerts came on setback (13th, 20th), with this big warning from a corner: Scalvini, left alone in front of Chevalier’s goal, cut the ball and placed a precise header under the bar. The Lille goalkeeper had to use great means to get out this ball which was heading straight into the back of the net.
The reaction of the Bleuets was excellent, the Lyonnais Caqueret and Barcola combined, redoubled the passes, including Gouiri in their movement. Kalulu, found on the right, sent a low cross to Arnaud Kalimuendo. The latter cut the ball in front of his defender and attempted a heel strike about ten meters from the goals. The heel, very precise, came to lick the left post of Carnesecchi, before finishing its race in the goals (1-0, 22nd). But ten minutes later, the penalty did indeed fall: on a free kick from Tonali, Pellegri rose higher than the others and placed an unstoppable header (1-1, 32nd).
Upon returning from the locker room, the Blueberries have become amorphous. The Italians succeeded perfectly in putting the game to sleep. They were victims of an injustice (51st). On a corner from Tonali, Kalulu cut the ball with his hand. Everyone saw it, except… the match referee. No penalty. France managed to get out of a crossing of the desert of almost 10 minutes by a goal signed Barcola (2-1, 63rd). Gouiri went up a good 40 meters before sending a bad ball to the young Lyonnais, who fought well before forgetting to ask his questions. His powerful shot found the opposite side netting.
The last ten minutes raised the level of this second period. On an Italian incursion, Lukeba threw himself magnificently to preserve Chevalier. The latter had to be used twice in quick succession. Two minutes later, however, Loïc Badé was sent off after a nasty tackle on Udogie (83rd).
It was in added time that the Bleuets got scared. On yet another corner, an Italian manages to frame a shot. The ball came to die on the post and entered the goal a few centimeters before being cleared in disaster by Lukeba. No Var, no “goal line technology” to validate the goal or signal a hand (2-1 final score). Les Bleuets leave with the three points against a solid Azzurini team. Sylvain Ripoll’s men will face Norway on Sunday (8:45 p.m.), before challenging Switzerland on June 28 (8:45 p.m.).