Friendly round-up: Audero loses out in Slovakia, Stijepovic tastes victory with Montenegro

There were four Blucerchiati players involved in international friendlies on Thursday, with two experiencing victories and the other two slipping two defeat.

Albin Ekdal was an unused substitute as Sweden were beaten 2-0 by Austrian at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna (Helander OG 11, Alaba 64). The midfielder was rested ahead of Sweden’s UEFA Nations League debut against Turkey in Solna on Monday 10 September.

Emil Audero’s Italy U21 side were beaten 3-0 by Slovakia at MOL Arena in Dunajska Streda. Slovakia took the lead on 9 minutes through Haraslin, who added a second five minutes after the interval. Mraz then put the game to bed on 56 minutes. The Azzurrini take on Albania in Cagliari on Tuesday 11 September.

Better news of Ognjen Stijepovic, meanwhile. The striker played 78 minutes as Montenegro U21s beat France U20s 2-1 thanks to goals from Cmiljanic (6) and Azemovic (46), which cancelled out a Raso own goal (14).

Ronaldo Vieira was an unused substitute as England U20s beat Switzerland 2-0 at St Georges Park. The goals came from Hirst (4) and Embleton (68).