By Anna Italia
Follow me in Twitter @ItalianSerieA,
Facebook: Anna Italia Page

Italy 2 – 1 Azerbaijan
44′ Giorgio Chiellini                            73 Giorgio Chiellini (own goal)
82′ Giorgio Chiellini

Italy  winning the UEFA 2EURO 2016 Qualification against Azerbaijan on Friday 10 October 2014 thanks to defender Giorgio Chiellini.   Italy are in Group H along Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Norway, and Malta.    Standing after Matchday 2 seeing Italy with full 6 points.   Stats continuing in favor of Italy defeating Azerbaijan for the 3rd time the first two in Euro 2004 (2-0, 4-0)  and now in Euro 2016 Qualification (2-1).

Referee Hüseyin Göçek giving the first yellow card of the match in the 12th minute to Azerbaijan forward Rufat Dadasov  after a foul on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

In the 32nd minute Referee Göçek gives a yellow card to  Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo after a foul on Azerbaijan forward Rauf Aliyev.

Party time!  It is Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini to open the score following a corner in the 44th minute.  Super!  Here is the action.   Midfielder Andrea Pirlo takes the corner and makes the assist while Chiellini coming from behind runs fast to jump for the headed shot while Azerbaijan goalkeeper attempts to clear with one hand but it is GOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL.  Immediate celebration at the Barbera to encourage the Azzurri and you bet I am jumping too! Forza Italia.

Photo facebook.com/FIGC

First half ending 59% ball possession Italy and 41% ball possession Azerbaijan.

Italy coach Antonio Conte substituting midfielder Andrea Pirlo in the 73rd minute by midfielder Alberto Aquilani

Italy with the second substitution in the 77th minute replacing midfielder Alessandro Florenzi with forward Sebastian Giovinco.

No way!!!!  What a luck!  I cannot believe it!  This is impossible.  Gosh, Azerbaijan equalizing with an own goal by defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 73rd minute attempting to clear!!!!

Italy making the last substitution in the 81st minute replacing Matteo Darmian with midfielder Antonio Candreva.

Cheer up!   It’s redemption time.  Hero again is Italy defender Chiellini!  Totally awesome and what a way to ask for forgiveness after the own goal than by scoring the winner goal now!  Yep.  In the 82nd minute, Chiellini with a headed goal putting Italy ahead to claim the full 3 points.

Azerbaijan making the last substitution in the 86th minute replacing midfielder Rahid Amirquliyev for forward Vuqar Nadirov.

Referee giving a yellow card to Italy forward Simone Zaza after a foul on Azerbaijan  mifielder Gara Garayev in the 86th minute.

This is it!  Referee whistles the end of the match.  Let’s party to celebrate Italy’s victory thanks to a courageous defender Giorgio Chiellini, absolutely, man of the match.

Here is ITALY official starting lineup formation by Head Coach Antonio Conte:

ITALY (3-5-2): Buffon (cap.); Andrea Ranocchia, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini; Matteo Darmian, Alessandro Florenzi, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Mattia De Sciglio; Ciro Immobile, Simone Zaza.

Here is AZERBAIJAN official starting lineup formation by Head Coach Berti Vogts:

AZERBAIJAN (4-2-3-1): K. Agayev; Allahverdiyev, Guseynov, F. Sadygov (cap.), Qırtımov; Qarayev, Amirguliyev; Nazarov, Aliyev, Abdullayev; Dadaşov.

Photo facebook.com/FIGC

Italy official starting lineup against Azerbaijan

Photo facebook.com/FIGC

Azerbaijan forward Rauf Aliyev challenges Italy midfielder Alessandro Florenzi

Italy forward Ciro Immobile in action against Azerbaijan

Italy forward Simone Zaza controlling the ball

Photo facebook.com/FIGC

Way to go supporting Italy defender Matteo Darmian “Ne birra ne champagne, ubriachi di Darmian”

Photo facebook.com/FIGC

Italy Head Coach Antonio Conte applauding and thanking the fans

UEFA Euro 2016 Qualification

Italy  1 – 0 Azerbaijan
Friday 10 October 2014
Renzo Barbera Stadium
Palermo, Italy

20:45

Referee: Hüseyin Göçek (TUR)
Assistant referees: Mustafa Eyisoy (TUR) and Orkun Aktaş (TUR)
Fourth official:Serkan Ok (TUR)
Additional assistant referees: Mete Kalkavan (TUR) and Hakan Ceylan (TUR)

Goals: 44′ Giorgio Chiellini (I)

Official formations – lineups:

ITALY (3-5-2): Buffon (cap.); Andrea Ranocchia, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini; Matteo Darmian, Alessandro Florenzi, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Mattia De Sciglio; Ciro Immobile, Zaza.

Subs.: Sirigu, Perin, Ogbonna, Verratti, Candreva, Giovinco, Poli, Aquilani, Pellè, Parolo, Destro, Pasqual.

Coach.: Antonio Conte.

AZERBAIJAN (4-2-3-1): K. Agayev; Allahverdiyev, Guseynov, F. Sadygov (cap.), Qırtımov; Qarayev, Amirguliyev; Nazarov, Aliyev, Abdullayev; Dadaşov.

Subs.: S. Agayev, Balayev, Guliyev, Ramaldanov, Yunuszade, Kurbanov, Ramazanov, Hüseynov, Nadirov, Budak, Tashkin.

Coach: Berti Vogts.