The Under-19 team wanted to become “real” European champions, but failed. This Sunday they lost to Italy (1-0), in a final in which the two main talents of this European Championship – Rodrigo Ribeiro and Hugo Félix – had lost touch badly and brought the team to an exhibition abyss that was too punishing .
Both teams had defeats to avenge. The transalpines were crowned champions in 2003 at the expense of the Portuguese, who in turn took the trophy, in 2018, after beating the Italians in extra time (4-3). Today the Italians have the upper hand again.
It was the Portuguese’s fifth defeat in six finals. (2003, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023) in the new test format. Only once did it go well (2018, with Hélio Sousa) and that was somehow a harbinger. Portugal is the country with the most won and lost finals and with that taller both Italian titles have been captured against the Portuguese.
O opponent was thrashed by the Portuguese in the group stage (5-1), but despite not seeing this as an advantage, the coach assured the day before that his players knew the way to reach the Italian goal and win. For the false entry into the game of the final, no one would say.
The first half disappointed those who were fooled by the beautiful play shown at the European Championship by a team of “solidarity, commitment, identity and passion”. There was no sign of that in the first 45 minutes, which came down offensively to a misplaced shot on target.
The break came with Portugal trailing. An error helped Italy take the lead in the 19th minute. Michael Kayode appeared at the far post to throw the ball towards Gonçalo Ribeiro, but the Portuguese goalkeeper was unable to hold on to the ball, who nevertheless hit the post before going into goal. The goal rewarded the football superiority of the transalpines. Esposito and Hasa gave the Portuguese defense a lot of headaches.
For the first time, the selection was at a disadvantage during halftime of the U-19 European Championship. Portugal couldn’t find space to play, but improved in the last stretch of the first half, despite difficulties entering Italy’s penalty area.
Range of (few) ideas
For the second half, a completely different attitude and performance and new faces and legs were needed for a strong return to the game. The coach brought in Martim Fernandes and Diogo Prioste to replace Martim Marques and Samuel Justo and managed to revive Portugal (without succeeding in the main mission, however).
Prioste and Gustavo Sá and Hugo Félix tried to reach a draw, but they didn’t succeed Samuele Vignato was still an unhinged devil and played Nuno Félix like a cat in the pan. Portugal had to take risks to try to draw and managed to be more dangerous offensively. There was more objectivity in enemy territory, but he exposed himself to dangers emanating from Italy. At 77 minutes Gonçalo Ribeiro prevented Samuele Vignato from making the second for the transalpines. Great reflexes from the Portuguese goalkeeper to keep Portugal a few more minutes in contention for a draw and to keep the trophy.
The Portuguese entourage showed some nervousness – assistant coach saw a yellow card – and there were reasons for this. Time passed, Italy felt comfortable in the role it plays so well and gives the charisma – the catenaccio – and Portugal could not break through the wall in front of the goal. In the last shot of the game, Herculano had Nabian equalizing in his feet, but today was not the day to be happy.
Joaquim Malheiro, who never mourned his absence – André Gomes, João Neves, Diego Moreira, Chermiti and Dário Essugo, among others – paid a high price for the philosophy he implemented in the team. The beautiful and loose game was won by Italy’s cynicism and pragmatism. Lessons learned for emerging talents in Portuguese football such as Hugo Félix, Rúben Ribeiro, João Vasconcelos, Gabriel Brás, Martim Marques or Carlos Borges.
Source: DN
