Analyzing Italy's Set-Piece Routines in the 2024 U-19 Euros

The U-19 Euros drew to a close last month, with Spain edging France 2-0 in the final in Belfast courtesy of goals from Iker Bravo and Assane Diao. Having beaten Portugal earlier in the summer in the U-17 Euros Final, Italy failed to add to their silverware haul in Northern Ireland, with Pol Fortuny's 100th-minute goal seeing Spain prevail 1-0 in extra time and book their ticket for the final.

Despite their heartbreaking semifinal defeat, Italy delivered a strong campaign and impressed in terms of their set-piece attacks as well as their set-piece defense, not conceding a single goal from a corner kick. They were focused on keeping their opponents out of the six-yard area, remaining compact and constantly retaining a numerical advantage in their own third. With Tommaso Ebone, Kevin Zeroli and Filippo Mané, they'd often have three players guarding the near post and ensuring that the opponent couldn't have an easy opportunity.

Italy opened their U-19 Euros campaign with a match against Norway at Seaview, with Daniel Braut opening the scoring in the 35th minute only for Luca Di Maggio to pull level before the break, but Zeroli would give them the lead in the 51st minute and ensure a 2-1 victory.