By Anna Italia
Follow me in Twitter @ItalianSerieA,
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Italian Soccer Serie A Blog supports the Italian National Team
52% Ball Possession SAUDI ARABIA and 48% Ball Possession ITALY
Saudi Arabia 1 – 2 Italy 
72′ Yahya Al-Shehri 20′ Mario Balotelli
. 68′ Andrea Belotti
Great start! Italy Head Coach Roberto Mancini making his debut with the Italian team with a victory. The “Mancini Era” starting with a ray of hope for the rebuilding of the Italian team. It is also the new era for Captain Leonardo Bonucci leading the squad after the retirement of Gianluigi Buffon.
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Photo: twitter.com/azzurriItaly Head Coach Roberto Mancini
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GOALLLLLLL Italy taking the lead in the 20th minute. Forward Mario Balotelli making his comeback with the Azzurri scoring this goal! Balotelli defeating Saudi Arbia goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais with a right footed shot in the bottom left corner.
GOAAAALL!!! #Balotelli!
⏱ 20’ WHAT A HIT! Back with a bang! #SaudiArabiaItaly 0-1 #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/Ks0PAvSdFP— Italy (@azzurri) May 28, 2018
That moment from #SuperMario once more! ?⚽#SaudiArabiaItaly ???? 0-1 #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/shqtCNztHk
— Italy (@azzurri) May 28, 2018
#Azzurri ??
The goal from Mario #Balotelli against #SaudiArabia! ?#VivoAzzurro #SaudiArabiaItaly@FinallyMario @ogcnice_engpic.twitter.com/DoP4ErhleZ
— Italy (@azzurri) May 29, 2018
Italy increasing the score in the 68th minute. Forward Andrea Belotti delighting the fans after defeating goalkeeper from close range with a right footed shot in the center following a corner conceded by Osama Hawsawi.
GOAALLL!!!! #BELOTTI!! ?
⏱68’Great reactions to turn home from a rebound! #SaudiArabiaItaly ???? 0-2 #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/D6r0pAp2zr
— Italy (@azzurri) May 28, 2018
Oh oh spaghetti oh!!!! Saudi Arabia shortening the distance in the 72nd minute following a fast break!!! Saudi Arabia Yahya Al Shehri defeating Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with a right footed shot in the bottom right corner. The assist is by Salem Al Dawsari.
Here is ITALY official starting lineups – formations by Head Coach Roberto Mancini:
ITALY: Donnarumma; Zappacosta, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Criscito; Florenzi, Joriginho, Pellegrini; Politano, Balotelli, Insigne.
Here is SAUDI ARABIA official starting lineup – formation by Head Coach Pizzi:
SAUDI ARABIA: Alowais; Al-Harbi, Hassaqi, Othman, Alfaraj, Alshehri, Alshahrani, Otayf, Aljassam, Kanoo, Abu Radiyah.
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⚽ #SaudiArabia ?? vs. #Italy ??
? #Kybunpark, #StGallen ??
⏱20:45 CEST
? Starting line-up ?#SaudiArabiaItaly #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/ocXYjBUpxe— Italy (@azzurri) May 28, 2018
#SaudiArabiaItaly ????
The first #Azzurri XI named by Roberto #Mancini! ?#VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/PwZGu5fdKo
#SaudiArabiaItaly ????
Inside the changing room at the #Kybunpark 30 minutes before @robymancio‘s first match in the role! ? pic.twitter.com/9O6TPzznIK
— Italy (@azzurri) May 28, 2018
— Italy (@azzurri) May 28, 2018
#SaudiArabiaItaly ????
Inside the changing room at the #Kybunpark 30 minutes before @robymancio‘s first match in the role! ? pic.twitter.com/9O6TPzznIK
— Italy (@azzurri) May 28, 2018
Photos courtesy by twitter.com/azzurri
❗ MATCHDAY ❗
⚽ #SaudiArabia ?? vs. #Italy ??
? #Kybunpark, #StGallen ??
⏱20:45 CEST #VivoAzzurro #Azzurri #SaudiArabiaItaly pic.twitter.com/veLWycTcP1— Italy (@azzurri) May 28, 2018
⏱FULL-TIME ⏱
⚽ 21’ #Balotelli, 69’ #Belotti, 72’ #AlShehri #Mancini‘s tenure begins with a win in #StGallen and both centre-forwards getting on the scoresheet! #SaudiArabiaItaly ???? #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/peZBiyVcel— Italy (@azzurri) May 28, 2018
2018 International Friendly Game
Saudi Arabia 1 – 2 Italy
Monday 28 May 2018
AFG Arena
St Gallen, Switzerland
Goals: 20′ Mario Balotelli (I), 68′ Andrea Belotti (I), 72′ Yahya Al-Shehri (S)
Official lineups – formations:
ITALY: Donnarumma; Zappacosta, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Criscito; Florenzi, Joriginho, Pellegrini; Politano, Balotelli, Insigne.
Subs: Sirigu, Perin, Caldara, D’Ambrosio, De Sciglio, Rugani, Baselli, Bonaventura, Cristante, Mandragora, Belotti, Berardi.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
SAUDI ARABIA: Alowais; Al-Harbi, Hassaqi, Othman, Alfaraj, Alshehri, Alshahrani, Otayf, Aljassam, Kanoo, Abu Radiyah.
Subs.: Almuaiouf, Almosailem, Alqarni, Hajfali, Alburayk, Bahbri, Alsahlawi, Alkahaibri, Almowalad, Alkhaibari, Almoqahwi, Alabid, Almuwallad, Alkuwaykibi, Hawsawi, Albulayhi, Aldawsari.
Coach: Pizzi.