'A threat on the counter throughout' - Chelsea laud well-organised Flying Eagles after win v Italy

Chelsea monitored proceedings at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza on Wednesday evening as the Flying Eagles registered a shock 2-0 win over Italy to progress to the knockout stage of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup.

The Premier League giants were interested in the game as they wanted to check on the progress of Cesare Casadei, a central midfielder they signed from Inter Milan last summer for a fee of 15 million euros and another five million euros in performance-related add-ons. 

Casadei was the standout player for the Italians in their impressive 3-2 win over Brazil, but struggled to make an impression against the Flying Eagles as he was kept in check by Nigeria's own star in the making, Daniel Daga. 

The 20-year-old, who spent the second half of the 2022-2023 campaign at Reading, captained the Italians for the entirety of the game. 

Salim Fago Lawal broke the deadlock in the 61st minute and Jude Sunday kept his composure to slot home in injury time to seal a win for the African side.

Reviewing the game on their official website, Chelsea highlighted that Ladan Bosso's team were a threat on the counter-attack and well organized in terms of how they were set up. 

"Casadei smashed a shot against the crossbar with the game goalless, but the Nigerians, a threat on the counter throughout, took the lead on the hour and doubled it four minutes into stoppage time," Chelsea wrote. 

"Italy had 21 attempts but only four tested the Nigerian keeper with their resolute 4-5-1 shape paying off. Casadei, who like Santos captained his country, played the full 90 minutes."

Nigeria will now take on Brazil - who thrashed Dominican Republic 6-0 in the second Group D fixture - at the Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona, La Plata on Saturday evening.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com

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