[Jager]

Parma man Alessandro Rosina bagged a brace for the new-look Under-21 squad in a 3-1 win against Poland this evening.


The Azzurrini will be renewed after the European Championships in May and Coach Claudio Gentile is already looking ahead to the next two-year cycle of players born after Jan 1 1983.


"It was more than I had hoped for," admitted the tactician. "This side has the right determination and good feet, although official games will be another kettle of fish."

This is the basic structure of the squad that will enter qualifying for the 2006 tournament and one of the main stars is expected to be Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi.


Gentile also changed his system for these new arrivals, moving to a four-man defence and lone striker upfront.


It took just six minutes to break the deadlock with promising Parma midfielder Alessandro Rosina’s strike.


Rosina has already impressed in several Serie A outings for his club this season and was a constant threat to the Polish rear guard.


Just before half-time, Italy doubled their lead thanks to Cagliari’s centre-forward Rolando Bianchi’s fine volley.


Gentile made sweeping changes for the second half and Poland got one back through substitute Kwiek.


But the final word was Rosina’s as he completed his brace in the closing stages with a fine solo effort.



Italy 3-1 Poland


Scorers: Rosina 6, 85 (I), Bianchi 44 (I), Kwiek 76 (P)