Gian Piero Ventura’s Italy side received a fresh boost of confidence on Saturday evening, as they scored four goals during an emphatic victory over Liechtenstein. An extremely impressive first-half display all but ensured the three points in Vaduz, with the Azzurri now sitting top of Group H ahead of Spain. Their nearest rivals also came out victorious in Macedonia, but this latest win still takes them one step closer to qualifying for the Russia World Cup in 2018. A young and vibrant Italy side took to the field at the Rheinpark Stadion, with positive signals now emerging prior to their friendly fixture against Germany on Tuesday. The pairing of Belotti and Immobile also showed signs of developing chemistry, as they improved their combined goal tally to that of three goals in the last two matches.
With Barzagli and Chiellini both sidelined, Ventura opted to deploy a four-man defence. The central duo of Bonucci and Romagnoli sat in front of Buffon, whilst De Sciglio and debutant Zappacosta provided support on the flanks. In compensating for the disqualified Parolo, both De Rossi and Verratti made up the middle, whilst Bonaventura and Candreva then supported the attacking tandem of Belotti and Immobile. This created a 4-2-4 formation when in possession of the ball, which often morphed almost into a 2-4-4 as the flying full-backs ventured past the halfway line. In conjunction with the Azzurri’s planned formation, their attacking intent was clear, as they often moved eight men into the opposition half, accepting that they will face one-on-one situations when in defence.
With around 1,000 Italy fans in attendance, the Azzurri started strongly with two chances in the first five minutes. De Rossi set up Immobile in the fourth minute as he shot wide of the onrushing Jehle who was back in action seconds later to save from Bonaventura. As against FYR Macedonia, it was Belotti in the eleventh minute who broke the deadlock as he turned a Romagnoli header from a corner home. A minute later, the ‘Gallo’ picked up an assist as his header sent Immobile through to score. Italy had chances to finish it off with Immobile and then Bonucci who had an effort cleared on the line by Burgmeier. Antonio Candreva made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute after De Sciglio set him up for a first-time finish.
Buffon was able to see as a spectator how De Sciglio and Zappacosta were doing damage every time they bombed forward. The first half ended as it started with Belotti scoring in the 43rd minute just after having a great goal disallowed for offside. He was there to convert from a Bonaventura delivery beyond Jehle who couldn’t have done anything about any of the goals.
The result was settled but Italy knew that goal difference could send them top and they didn’t let up in the second. Bonaventura and De Sciglio pushed up the left with Zappacosta doing the same on the right. In the 67th minute Insigne came on for Bonaventura and created two chances for Belotti to make it 5-0 but he found the arms of Jehle and missed the target. Eder replaced Candreva in a 4-2-4 system before Zaza came on for Immobile for the last ten minutes. The final chance of the match fell to the West Ham United forward but Jehle saved with his legs. Italy’s 2016 ends with three wins and a draw in World Cup qualifying but the journey to Russia has only just begun.
Squad list
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), Mattia Perin (Genoa);
Defenders: Luca Antonelli (Milan), Davide Astori (Fiorentina), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Alessio Romagnoli (Milan),Armando Izzo (Genoa), Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Davide Zappacosta (Torino);
Midfielders: Danilo Cataldi (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Roberto Gagliardini (Atalanta), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain) Federico Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), Antonio Candreva (Inter), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Matteo Politano (Sassuolo), Nicola Sansone (Villareal).
Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Eder Citadin Martins (Inter), Gianluca Lapadula (Milan) Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Leonardo Pavoletti (Genoa), Simone Zaza (West Ham United).
Staff: Head Coach: Gian Piero Ventura; Team Manager: Gabriele Oriali; Assistant Coaches: Salvatore Sullo, Paolo Vanoli and Gianluca Spinelli; Secretary: Mauro Vladovich; Fitness coaches: Alessandro Innocenti and Giovanni Brignardello; Match Analyst: Antonio Gagiardi; Team Doctors: Enrico Castellacci and Carmine Costabile; Physiotherapists/Masseurs: Fabrizio Scalzi, Emanuele Randelli, Alfonso Casano and Pasquale Raia, Walter Martinelli (osteopath); Nutritionist: Matteo Pincella
Italy’s Schedule (All times CET)
Sunday 13th November
10:00 Flight to Milan Malpensa
10:55 Arrive at Milan Malpensa and head to Milanello training centre
15:00 Training at Milanello (open to the media*)
Monday 14th November (MD-1)
10:00 Press conference with the manager and one player at Milanello *
11:00 Training at Milandello (Open to the press for the first 15 minutes)
15:30 Training (closed doors)
Germany’s schedule
14:00 Manager’s press conference at the Hotel Meliá
17:30 Training at the G. Meazza Stadium (Open to the press for the first 15 minutes)
Tuesday 15th November (MD)
20:45 ITALY vs. GERMANY Friendly – Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Meetings with the media to follow.
*Entrance to Milanello is only permitted for media sources with accreditation for Italy vs. Germany