Football: Scimeca's incentive

Wednesday 12 February 1997 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Riccardo Scimeca, Aston Villa's England Under-21 central defender, has been given an added incentive to thwart Italy's ambitions of qualifying for the European Championship when the two countries meet in Group Two at Ashton Gate today.

For Riccardo's Italian-born father, Benedetto, has promised to give up smoking after 38 years if his son manages to score his first goal for England Under-21 in what is an important top-of-the-table encounter. England head the group by a point from Italy, who have a game in hand.

Scimeca Jnr, who captains the side for the first time, had the chance to break that duck in England's last home international against Poland in October, but his penalty was saved in the goalless draw at Molineux. The Sicilian-born Benedetto said: "I am serious about giving up the cigarettes if Riccardo scores."

England have included two new caps in the midfield pairing of Arsenal's Stephen Hughes and Paul Murray, of Queen's Park Rangers.

ENGLAND UNDER-21 (European Under-21 Championship v Italy, Ashton Gate, today): Marshall (Norwich), Rose (Arsenal), Hall (Coventry), Scimeca (Aston Villa, capt), Rufus (Charlton), Carbon (Derby), Murray (QPR), Hughes (Arsenal), Heskey (Leicester), Eadie (Norwich), Bowyer (Leeds). Substitutes: Carragher (Liverpool), Wright (Ipswich), Huckerby (Coventry), Scowcroft (Ipswich), Holland (Birmingham).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in