Training-ground friendly with U19s finishes 9-1

After a morning session focusing on tactics, Claudio Ranieri’s men warmed up for the new season with a friendly match against the Sampdoria U19 team on Wednesday afternoon.

The senior side – minus the seven players away on international duty as well as Julian Chabot, Jeison Murillo, Antonio Palumbo and Gaston Ramirez, who did personalised work – won the game 9-1.

Antonino La Gumina opened the scoring after just two minutes as his close-range finish beat Lorenzo Avogadri, playing with the youth side today.

Manolo Gabbiadini made it 2-0 on 17 minutes and Lorenzo Tonelli added a third following a corner soon after.

Jamie Yayi Mpie pulled one back immediately for the youngsters before Nicola Murru made it 4-1 with a powerful, angled effort on the half-hour mark.

Both coaches made a raft of changes in the second half, which began with Federico Bonazzoli grabbing a fifth for the first team, courtesy of a fine assist by Gianluca Caprari.

Bonazzoli helped himself to a second on the hour before Fabio Quagliarella notched his first of the season in the 69th minute.

Mohamed Bahlouli scored goal number eight 10 minutes from time then Omar Colley’s header from a corner four minutes later rounded off the scoring.

The team will be back at the training ground on Thursday morning for the day’s only workout.