Italy survive Scotland scare

AFP, TA’ QALI (MALTA): Southampton striker Graziano Pelle hit a second-half winner as an injury-depleted Italy beat Scotland 1-0 in a disjointed Euro 2016 friendly in Malta on Sunday.
With his midfield decimated through injuries to Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti, and Thiago Motta and Riccardo Montolivo resting due to calf problems, Italy coach Antonio Conte gave Roma’s Daniele De Rossi a chance to impress before announcing his 23-man Euro 2016 squad on Tuesday.
Inter Milan striker Eder was in a similar position, having failed to spark for the Nerazzurri following his move from Sampdoria.
Thankfully for both, Eder and De Rossi were involved when Pelle pounced to beat David Marshall in the 57th minute with a clinical strike from the edge of the area.
But before then, the Azzurri flattered to deceive in a largely messy first half punctuated by three near misses from enterprising Bologna midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini.
After complaining about the state of the “poor” pitch, Conte told Rai: “We put a lot into the match, but the pitch didn’t help.
“We’re still in construction mode and we’re doing it little by little. There’s positives but we know there’s a lot of work to do.”
Giaccherini is expected to travel to France this summer where he could fill in at central midfield, but he said: “We have a lot of great wingers so the coach sees me more in the middle, but I’ll play where he asks me to.”
He added: “I think we played well, but this won’t be enough for us at Euro 2016.
“We have quite a few things to iron out but I think we’re on the right road. We have to be positive. If we get to France thinking negatively, we’ll get nowhere.”
Scotland’s sole victory over Italy came in 1965 and this was the sides’ first meeting since a Euro 2008 qualifier.
Almost immediately, Gordon Strachan’s men were under threat, Marshall producing saves to stop Antonio Candreva’s fierce free-kick and Giaccherini’s follow-up.

 

Italy survive Scotland scare

AFP, TA QALI (MALTA): Southampton striker Graziano Pelle hit a second-half winner as an injury-depleted Italy beat Scotland 1-0 in a disjointed Euro 2016 friendly in Malta on Sunday. With his midfield decimated through injuries to Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti, and Thiago Motta and Riccardo Montolivo resting due to calf problems, Italy coach Antonio Conte gave Romas Daniele De Rossi a chance to impress before announcing his 23-man Euro 2016 squad on Tuesday. Inter Milan striker Eder was in a similar position, having failed to spark for the Nerazzurri following his move from Sampdoria. Thankfully for both, Eder and De Rossi were involved when Pelle pounced to beat David Marshall in the 57th minute with a clinical strike from the edge of the area. But before then, the Azzurri flattered to deceive in a largely messy first half punctuated by three near misses from enterprising Bologna midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini. After complaining about the state of the poor pitch, Conte told Rai: We put a lot into the match, but the pitch didnt help. Were still in construction mode and were doing it little by little. Theres positives but we know theres a lot of work to do. Giaccherini is expected to travel to France this summer where he could fill in at central midfield, but he said: We have a lot of great wingers so the coach sees me more in the middle, but Ill play where he asks me to. He added: I think we played well, but this wont be enough for us at Euro 2016. We have quite a few things to iron out but I think were on the right road. We have to be positive. If we get to France thinking negatively, well get nowhere. Scotlands sole victory over Italy came in 1965 and this was the sides first meeting since a Euro 2008 qualifier. Almost immediately, Gordon Strachans men were under threat, Marshall producing saves to stop Antonio Candrevas fierce free-kick and Giaccherinis follow-up.