The U21 European Championships are already approaching the knockout stages this summer with a handful of Leeds United players in action – including Willy Gnonto.
The first round of fixtures saw Mateo Joseph score once again for Spain’s U21 side, while Joe Hart was full of praise for Charlie Cresswell in his decision to leave Leeds and join French side Toulouse last summer.
Combining with Archie Gray, Cresswell scored as England beat the Czech Republic 3-1. For Italy, Gnonto has now started both games with Italy narrowly winning both their games against Romania and Slovakia.
A 1-0 win over Romania, in which Romania missed a penalty, came before Saturday night’s clash against Slovakia. Another 1-0 win, in which Gnonto laid on the all-important assist for Cesare Casadei’s winner.
Photo by Luca Bizzarri – FIGC/FIGC via Getty ImagesItaly qualify for knockout stages but Willy Gnonto struggles
The win sees Italy qualify for the knockout stages, in true Italy style. Two clean sheets, two goals scored, job done. But it hasn’t been convincing from Gnonto and co. thus far, having expected to win easily.
They and Spain now sit on six points going into the final game, while Slovakia and Romania are yet to pick up a point. On Saturday night, Gnonto got the assist but Italian media have not been impressed.
TuttoMercatoWeb gave Gnonto a 5.5/10 grade: “Starts well with an excellent assist for Casadei. Then suffers the physicality and the pressing of the home team and is practically not seen anymore.”
Meanwhile, Virgilio Sport also gave 5.5/10: “He deserves much more for his generosity. However, he plays as a centre forward and keeps few balls, he is often anticipated and does not create particular problems.”
Photo by Pat Scaasi | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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When Gnonto and Mateo Joseph do action in Slovakia
Gnonto and Joseph’s Spain do battle on Tuesday night, with Spain also victorious in their second game against Romania – but only after Joseph put a penalty wide. Spain needed two late goals to win 2-1.
It sees both sit on six points before going into Tuesday’s game, which will see the duo fight it out to top group A. The winners of group A will take on the runners-up in Group B, which could be England.
England are in action on Sunday when they face Slovenia, followed by a tricky game against Germany’s second-string team. Either Gnonto or Joseph could face Gray and Cresswell in the quarter-finals, then.