Key Takeaways:
- Italy secured a second successive 1-0 friendly win last night, this time over Greece in Crete
- Silvio Baldini’s youthful squad featured multiple debutants and just three players with prior call-ups
- Luca Reggiani received a red card 13 minutes into his international debut, but Greece failed to capitalise despite their numerical advantage
Match Overview
A remarkably inexperienced Italy side, fielded by caretaker manager Silvio Baldini, concluded their summer with another 1-0 triumph, this time overcoming Greece in Heraklion. These back-to-back friendly victories serve to partially alleviate the disappointment of missing the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive edition.
Baldini’s decision to assemble Italy’s youngest national squad in over a century drew considerable attention, with only three players boasting previous international experience. Their earlier outing had resulted in a narrow win against Luxembourg, setting the tone for another closely-fought contest against a Greece side also absent from this summer’s showpiece event.
FT: Greece 0-1 Italy
A very lackluster performance from the Ethniki sees them go down to Italy 0-1 in the final International friendly before the Nationals League campaign
It’s now 1 win in 9 games for Jovanovic’s men #GREITA #Ethniki #Ethnikiomada pic.twitter.com/LpRADtzBIo
— Hellas Football (@HellasFooty) June 7, 2026
Decisive Moments and Player Performances
Italy made a lively start, with debutant Jeff Ekhator standing out. It was Ekhator who delivered the assist for the match’s solitary goal – a precise ball to Francesco Pio Esposito, who found the net with a deflected effort from the edge of the area. This marked Esposito’s fifth international goal in just his ninth cap.
Greece offered little response despite trailing, and Italy pressed their advantage. Esposito continued to threaten, forcing opposing goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos into a save. After half-time, Luca Koleosho steered a cross from Seydou Fini onto the crossbar, narrowly missing an opportunity to double the advantage.
The contest became more subdued as the half progressed. Italy’s numerical disadvantage arose when Luca Reggiani, just 13 minutes into his international debut, was dismissed for hauling down Tasos Douvikas as the Greek attacker was poised to break through on goal.
Despite this, Greece struggled in front of goal, reflecting their ongoing attacking issues – they have only scored in one of their last four matches. Late efforts from Christos Tzolis and Christos Zafeiris failed to alter the scoreline, with Zafeiris hitting the woodwork inside the game’s closing minutes. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was eventually called into action but remained resolute, ensuring a clean sheet for the visitors.
Statistical Summary
| Team | Score | Red Cards | Goal Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | 0 | 0 | – |
| Italy | 1 | 1 (Luca Reggiani, 13′) | Francesco Pio Esposito |
Looking Ahead
For Italy, the performances of a new batch of talented young players offered a measure of optimism following the sting of March’s elimination at the hands of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Conversely, Greece’s winless streak has now extended to five matches, and by the time UEFA Euro 2028 arrives, it will mark 14 years since their last appearance at a major tournament.
