When Younger Azzurri Hit Belgium Golden Generation
When Younger Azzurri Hit Belgium Golden Generation
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LYON - Not only Germany which strong 'beat' his opponent in the first game, Italy also had successfully crushed Belgium 2-0. Antonio Conte's tactical intelligence and younger Italy serenity managed to produce victory over Belgium's golden generation.
Shown with a 3-5-2, Italy has a very difficult defense penetrated by Belgium. Experience and resilience of the Azzurri back line managed to silence Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne. Remarkably, Antonio Conte's men experienced a change of formation into 3-3-4 when struck back and managed to create some chances.
The Red Devils entered the match second in the FIFA rankings, but they certainly didn't play like that as Emanuele Giaccherini's first-half strike ensured a perfect start to the competition for the Azzurri, before Graziano Pelle added a late second.
While many questioned why the Bologna man was included in Conte's 23 man squad, he showed them why by opening the scoring. Although Belgium responded after the restart, they could do little to stop Italy from claiming an important result.
Gianluigi Buffon made the first save of the game, palming Radja Nainggolan's strike from distance and out of harm's way.
Giaccherini was in the thick of things in the 23rd minute, as Laurent Ciman took down the midfielder with a mistimed tackle, but a goal kick was awarded.
Italy opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, as they took advantage of Belgium's backline. Leonardo Bonucci's ball over the top found the feet of Giaccherini, and the Bologna man expertly controlled the pass and slotted home to make it 1-0.
The goal was so exciting that it left Antonio Conte with a cut lip, as Simone Zaza's celebrations left the tactician bloody.
Italy continued to test Thibaut Courtois in goal, this time with Antonio Candreva's strike from distance, while Pelle directed a free header just wide of goal.
Belgium responded with efforts from Nainggolan and Kevin De Bruyne, but the Red Devils entered half-time down a goal.
The game opened up after the restart, with both countries coming close to finding the back of the net. Belgium carved open the Italian backline, but with Buffon charging down on Romelu Lukaku, the striker fired just wide of the goal.
Pelle thought he had doubled Italy's lead soon after, forcing Courtois into a great diving save to keep his side in the match.
Eden Hazard was next in line to try his luck and Belgium continued their attacking fury, but Buffon was ready for the challenge.
The Azzurri seemed content to sit back and soak up the pressure, and while the Red Devils struggled to carve out chances, they nearly levelled the score in the 82nd minute, only for Divock Origi to header over the bar from close range.
Ciro Immobile unleashed a belter from distance that Courtois expertly pushed away, and Pelle wrapped up proceedings in added time by lashing home a Candreva cross into an empty goal to send Italy fans into rapture.
Next up for Italy is a match with Sweden in Toulouse, while Belgium do battle with Republic of Ireland in Bordeaux.
Shown with a 3-5-2, Italy has a very difficult defense penetrated by Belgium. Experience and resilience of the Azzurri back line managed to silence Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne. Remarkably, Antonio Conte's men experienced a change of formation into 3-3-4 when struck back and managed to create some chances.
The Red Devils entered the match second in the FIFA rankings, but they certainly didn't play like that as Emanuele Giaccherini's first-half strike ensured a perfect start to the competition for the Azzurri, before Graziano Pelle added a late second.
While many questioned why the Bologna man was included in Conte's 23 man squad, he showed them why by opening the scoring. Although Belgium responded after the restart, they could do little to stop Italy from claiming an important result.
Gianluigi Buffon made the first save of the game, palming Radja Nainggolan's strike from distance and out of harm's way.
Giaccherini was in the thick of things in the 23rd minute, as Laurent Ciman took down the midfielder with a mistimed tackle, but a goal kick was awarded.
Italy opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, as they took advantage of Belgium's backline. Leonardo Bonucci's ball over the top found the feet of Giaccherini, and the Bologna man expertly controlled the pass and slotted home to make it 1-0.
The goal was so exciting that it left Antonio Conte with a cut lip, as Simone Zaza's celebrations left the tactician bloody.
Italy continued to test Thibaut Courtois in goal, this time with Antonio Candreva's strike from distance, while Pelle directed a free header just wide of goal.
Belgium responded with efforts from Nainggolan and Kevin De Bruyne, but the Red Devils entered half-time down a goal.
The game opened up after the restart, with both countries coming close to finding the back of the net. Belgium carved open the Italian backline, but with Buffon charging down on Romelu Lukaku, the striker fired just wide of the goal.
Pelle thought he had doubled Italy's lead soon after, forcing Courtois into a great diving save to keep his side in the match.
Eden Hazard was next in line to try his luck and Belgium continued their attacking fury, but Buffon was ready for the challenge.
The Azzurri seemed content to sit back and soak up the pressure, and while the Red Devils struggled to carve out chances, they nearly levelled the score in the 82nd minute, only for Divock Origi to header over the bar from close range.
Ciro Immobile unleashed a belter from distance that Courtois expertly pushed away, and Pelle wrapped up proceedings in added time by lashing home a Candreva cross into an empty goal to send Italy fans into rapture.
Next up for Italy is a match with Sweden in Toulouse, while Belgium do battle with Republic of Ireland in Bordeaux.
(rnz)
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