Cristian Battocchio and on-loan defender Adam Thompson went head-to-head on international duty for their respective sides on Thursday
Cristian Battocchio and on-loan defender Adam Thompson went head-to-head on Thursday as Italy’s Under-21s beat Northern Ireland Under-21s 3-0.
Both players started for their respective nations, with Thompson – on-loan at Southend United – playing 90 minutes and Battocchio replaced five minutes from time.
Federico Viviani put the Azzurrini ahead in the 26th minute before goals in the last five minutes from Antonio Rozzi and Andrea Belotti added some gloss to the scoreline.
Elsewhere, Jonathan Bond was not involved with England’s Under-21s as they comfortably beat Finland’s Under-21s in their 2015 Under-21 European Championships.
Sheffield United’s George Long was preferred by head coach Gareth Southgate.
Ikechi Anya’s Scotland host the United States tonight at 20:05, whilst Sean Murray and Connor Smith will hope to be involved as the Republic of Ireland Under-21s take on the Faroe Islands at 15:45.
