Italy VS San Marino – Match Report

7:45pm GMT Kick Off, Sardegna Arena, International Friendly

It took a while for Italy to get going, but they went on to get a comfortable victory against San Marino.

Italy head into the Euro’s with an important victory against underdogs San Marino, as they scored several goals through-out the game, eventually winnning 7-0.

This friendly gave Italy time to prepare before they kick off their Euros campaign, as they take on Turkey in the Euros opener.

Gianluca Mancini had the first good chance of the game from a corner. As the corner was whipped in made a run off his defender and headed the ball into the ground, which made Elia Benedettini react quick and tip it over the bar. He went close again a bit later but his header was off the target.

Despite a slow start, which lacked a lot of movement, Italy opened the scoreline in the 30 minute through Federico Bernardeschi. Gaetano Castrovilli played the ball into him on the edge of the box, who fired it into the net.

Just minutes later, Italy doubled their lead. Benedettini punched the ball away from a corner. Gian Marco Ferrari was there to volley the ball home on his International debut.

Italy came so close to adding a third as Cristiano Biraghi burst onto the ball and struck it goalward, which was exceptionally blocked by Manuel Battistini.

Just after the beginning of the second half, half time sub Matteo Politano added another goal. There was miscommunication in the San Marino defense, which gave Politano time to pounce on the ball and slot it into the bottom corner.

In the 66th minute, Italy grabbed a fourth after a great bit of interplay from Bernardeschi and Andrea Belotti. They carved open the defence, and Belotti fired the ball into the net.

Things got even better as Italy added a fifth when Matteo Pessina got in on the act. Castrovilli struck the post with an effort from just outside the box, but the rebound fell to Pessina who stuck it home.

It didn’t take long for another goal, and it was another for Politano. Bernardeschi’s cross bounced off a San Marino defender, Politano jumped onto the ball and fired home a volley from close range.

Pessina added his second, and seventh for Italy five minutes from time. The midfielder made a run down the line and squeezed it between the keepers legs from a tight angle.

Man Of The Match – Matteo Pessina

The 24-year-old was the architect for Italy this evening, as he was involved in in goals and had an influence in midfield.

He showcased his fast footwork and passing alongside a two great finishes, as he looks to be in Mancini’s starting eleven when the Euros begin.

“File:SardegnaArena.jpeg” by Gigidelneri is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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