Primavera pass first test with thumping win over Sassuolo

In the first play-off tie, at Stadio Tre Fontane, Alberto De Rossi's side clinched victory thanks in great part to a strong second half performance. Leading 2-1 at half-time, thanks to goals from Mirko Antonucci and Alessandro Bordin, both Silvio Anocic and Marco Tumminello fired home to clinch victory.

"Our opponents started quicker than us and they created problems for us in the early stages," De Rossi said afterwards. "After that, we came into the game and it was quite even. We have lots of players capable of scoring goals and that made all the difference."

On the variety of names on the scoresheet, he added: "We have two formidable strikers [Tumminello and Soleri] for this level. If they don’t score themselves, they enable others to score. I don’t know how many they’ve got this season.

"It’s nice when other players score too because it shows that they’re getting involved in the play and causing danger. It means our opponents don’t know what to expect."

The side now face Genoa, with a place in the Final Eight of the competition within reach.

"I saw their play-off," De Rossi added. "We know all about the teams in our group. Genoa are a very complete side and they have several top-quality strikers that they can mix and match. We’ll have to work hard."

See photos from Sunday's game in the gallery below.

1 / 21

2 / 21

3 / 21

4 / 21

5 / 21

6 / 21

7 / 21

8 / 21

9 / 21

10 / 21

11 / 21

12 / 21

13 / 21

14 / 21

15 / 21

16 / 21

17 / 21

18 / 21

19 / 21

20 / 21

21 / 21