Italy vs. Scotland: Score, Reaction from 2016 International Friendly

Italy cruised to a 1-0 win over Scotland in an international friendly on Sunday in Malta in the first of two friendlies the Azzurri will play ahead of the upcoming UEFA Euro 2016 tournament.   

Graziano Pelle gave the Italians a deserved lead in the second half after his team dominated the first 45 minutes but failed to convert their chances. Once Pelle had opened the score, the match petered out, and Italy easily held on for the win.

The Azzurri will meet Finland in one final friendly before starting their Euro 2016 campaign against Belgium.

As shared by the team’s official Twitter account, Italy lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Emanuele Giaccherini receiving a surprise start in midfield:

This is how the team will set up on the pitch! #Azzurri #Italy #VivoAzzurro #ITASCO #ItalyScotland pic.twitter.com/ffPwMubUIr

— Italy (@azzurri) May 29, 2016

Bleacher Report’s Adam Digby had an explanation why manager Antonio Conte continues to give the Bologna man chances:

In 20 years time, Emanuele Giaccherini will write a book revealing his mum donated the hair used in Conte’s wig & we’ll finally understand

— Adam Digby (@Adz77) May 29, 2016

The match started at a slow pace. But Italy were the better side, and Matteo Darmian nearly picked out a team-mate with an inviting cross.

Scottish goalkeeper David Marshall produced a fine save to keep out a Giaccherini free-kick, and Pelle couldn’t find a way past the Celtic man with the rebound either.

Scotland found it nearly impossible to breach Italy’s star-studded defence early, as the Juventus trio of Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli showed their tremendous understanding of each other’s games. The Italians played high up the pitch, and Scotland barely got the ball out of their half.

But Italy’s attack was nowhere near as strong as their defence, and the Azzurri did little with the handful of chances they mustered. On the other side of the pitch, Ross McCormack missed a …

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