A tale of two halves: Juventus U19 vs. Empoli U19 – match report

The third league match of the season for Montero’s Under 19 team brought an exciting clash with Empoli, resulting in a 2-3 scoreline in favor of the latter.

What made this match particularly intriguing was the age difference on display. Empoli fielded six players born in 2004 from the first minute, while Juventus had an entire squad composed of 2005 and 2006 birth years.

This age gap became evident, especially in the first half, and was compounded by defensive struggles, primarily by Vinarcik, who was culpable for two of Empoli’s three goals.

At halftime, the score stood at 1-3 in favor of Empoli, with Anghelè narrowing the gap by converting a penalty, won by Pagnucco, in injury time.

The second half showcased a completely different Juventus. The team began to assert itself, showing the determination and spirit that had been lacking in the first half.

Two substitutions at halftime, Vacca and Florea, injected new life into the squad. In the 51st minute, Anghelè won another penalty, which Vacca calmly converted.

Despite maintaining control of the game, Juventus couldn’t find the equalizer, coming close in the 90th minute but ultimately falling short.

This match was a tale of two halves, where the young players redeemed themselves after a lackluster first half. Such matches serve as valuable learning experiences for these youngsters, crucial for their growth and development.

Overall, the second half performance left much to be proud of. The team deserved a draw, but sometimes, results don’t reflect the effort put in.

Juventus U19 player ratings: Vinarcik (5); Martinez (5.5), Domanico (5), Gil Puche (5), Turco (6), Ripani (5.5), Owusu (5.5), Pagnucco (6); Srdoc (5), Scienza (5); Anghelè (6).

Best Performers: Florea and Vacca
Least Impressive: Vinarcik and Domanico