U15, Italy crushes Turkmenistan in World Cup opener
Battisti's young Italians defeat the Asian side 5-1 in Baku in their group stage opener. After conceding an early goal, the Azzurrini's response was commanding and decisive.
Italy's U15 squad gets off to a winning start in their World Cup campaign. In Azerbaijan, the side coached by Enrico Battisti defeated Turkmenistan 5-1, clearing the first hurdle of an intense group phase. The Asians struck immediately through Chernov in the opening minute, putting early pressure on the young Italians. The response was swift and overwhelming: Criscito equalized just two minutes later and doubled the lead at five minutes, seizing control of the match. In the second half, the advantage expanded through goals from Vian, Ferraro and Reguig.
Battisti's squad, made up entirely of 2012-born players selected through previous training camps, now faces a rapid succession of fixtures. Group L still has Qatar, Cook Islands, Benin and Hong Kong to come. The tournament's unique format demands quick rhythm adaptation and constant tactical flexibility. The convincing debut provides a solid foundation, though the upcoming challenges will offer clearer insights into the strength of the project built by the coaching staff.