Italy-South Korea is a match valid for the semi-finals of the Under-20 World Cup and is played on Thursday at 23:00: TV, formations, predictions.
Starting on tiptoe, Carmine Nunziata’s Italy are now one of the happiest surprises of the Under-20 World Cup being played in Argentina.
The Azzurrini, dragged by the talent of Cesare Casadei – the midfielder that Chelsea bought from Inter a year ago for 15 million despite the few appearances in the first team – and by the Empoli star Tommaso Baldanzi, went all the way to the semi-finals. They therefore repeated the result of the last two editions, which saw Italy finish in the top four. It was Casadei and Baldanzi, together with the other Inter school player Francesco Pio Esposito, who broke Colombia’s dream in the quarter-finals, beating them 3-1. Before that, it had been the turn of the more quoted England (1-2) to have to reckon with the Italian selection, with the usual Casadei – 6 goals in 5 matches – decisive on a penalty kick. Actually, Italy had already shone during the group stage, despite being drawn in a hostile group, in the company of a colossus like Brazil and the fearsome Nigeria. The only defeat so far came against the Africans (2-0), a knockout that fortunately proved painless.
South Korea not to be underestimated
The same Nigeria who, surprisingly, fell to Nunziata’s next opponent in the quarter-finals, the reigning world vice-champion South Korea
South Korea’s Choi
It took extra time to decide the winner: after regulation time had ended in a blank net, the Asians came out on top in extra time with a goal from Choi. For the Koreans, it was another narrow victory after the one they achieved in the round of 16 against Ecuador in a thrilling 2-3. Three wins and two draws for the selection coached by Kim-Eun Jong, who in their last 15 matches have barely conceded a defeat, coincidentally in the 2019 edition of the Under-20 World Cup, in the final against Ukraine. An opponent within the reach of the Azzurri but still to be taken with caution to avoid nasty surprises. There is only one precedent between the two national teams at U20 level and it dates back to 1981: at that time it ended badly for Italy, which was overwhelmed 4-1 by South Korea.
The Prediction
With Brazil and Argentina eliminated as favourites, Italy would theoretically have the best chance of taking home the trophy of those left in the running (on the other side, Uruguay and Israel will be competing for a place in the final). One can bet on a victory for the Azzurri, who have so far prevailed against even better equipped teams than South Korea. Italy’s five matches so far have never seen less than two goals and this semi-final should be no exception.
The probable line-ups of Italy-South Korea
- ITALIA (4-3-1-2): Desplanches; Zanotti, Ghilardi, Guarino, Turicchia; Prati, Faticanti, Casadei; Baldanzi; Ambrosino, Esposito.
- COREA DEL SUD (4-4-2): Jo. Kim; C. Park, Choi, Bae, Ji. Kim; C. Lee, Y. Kim, S. Lee, Sa. Kang; Se. Kang, Y. Lee.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
