RAVENNA - Antonio Buscè’s Under-16 Empoli side were crowned champions of Italy on Saturday. It was an exciting affair at the Stadio Benelli, with the action lurching from goal to another before the Tuscans ultimately came out on top, albeit narrowly. A brace from Gnonto was not enough for Bonacina’s Nerazzurri, as goals from Cassai and Maressa sealed Empoli’s comeback.
Empoli started better in Ravenna, with Baldanzi scoring the game’s opener in the seventh minute. However, Inter remained undeterred and bagged a quick-fire equaliser through Gnonto three minutes later. In was then during the Nerazzurri’s best moment of the match that Buscè’s side regained the lead – Cassai slotting past Gerardi. Once again the Nerazzurri fought back, first hitting the post through Gnonto, who then made no mistake to make it 2-2 in the 37th minute.
Following the interval, it was Inter who came out all guns blazing – instantly taking a 3-2 lead thanks to a well-placed finish from Magazzù. However, in accordance with the chaotic nature of the encounter, Empoli were soon back level thanks to Cassai. After this latest equaliser, the momentum swung in favour of the Azzurri, with Maressa sealing his side’s comeback to crown Empoli Italian champions.
EMPOLI 4-3 INTER
Goalscorers: 7' Baldanzi, 17' and 37' Gnonto, 28' and 11' 56’ Cassai, 50' Magazzù, 71’ Maressa
EMPOLI: 1 Biagini, 2 Rocchetti, 3 Rizza, 4 Degli Innocenti, 5 Fontanarosa, 6 Morelli, 7 Rossi (10' st Maressa 16), 8 Fazzini (37' st Tognetti 20), 9 Cassai (41' st Panicucci 18), 10 Baldanzi, 11 Belluomini (10' st Fiumaldi 14)
Substitutes: 12 Falsettini, 13 Curumi, 14 Fiumaldi, 15 Gaffi, 17 Natale, 18 Panicucci, 19 Sottili
Coach: Antonio Buscè
INTER: 1 Gerardi; 2 Zanotti, 5 Lonati (39' st Cappadonna 19), 6 Cepele, 3 Perucchetti (1' st Chierichetti 14); 8 Fabbian, 4 De Milato, 7 Casadei (27' Benedetti 17); 10 Peschetola (30' st Politi 20); 9 Magazzù, 11 Gnonto
Substitutes: 12 Priori, 13 Monti, 15 Redondi, 16 Branzini, 18 Ballabio
Coach: Gabriele Bonacina
Bookings: Gnonto (35'), Zanotti (86')
Added time: 1' - 4'
Referee: Del Rio (Reggio Emilia)
Assistants: Cerilli and Pressato
