Italy shone at the Spyros Louis Stadium in Athens, as they beat Greece 3-0 in their third Group J fixture in qualifying for Euro 2020. In a game that could’ve seen even more goals for the Azzurri, it was a truly impressive performance that only demonstrates the progress made by Roberto Mancini’s National Team in 2019.

Following wins against Finland and Liechtenstein, Italy were in search of victory No. 430 on Saturday. During nine previous fixtures against Greece, the Azzurri have secured five wins, three draws and just one defeat – Italy’s last loss coming 47 years ago in Athens. However, the teams have never faced off in a World Cup or a European Championship, nor in a European Championship qualifier. The last previous fixture between the two took place in 2008, with a friendly 1-1 draw in Athens.

As for this latest encounter, Head Coach Mancini set his team out in a 4-3-3 formation, with Chiesa joining Belotti and Insigne in attack, while Verratti played with Barella and Jorginho in midfield. Meanwhile, in defence, Florenzi, Bonucci, Chiellini and Emerson Palmieri played out in front of Sirigu.

The Azzurri’s opener was scored by Barella in the 23rd minute, his second goal for the National Team, finished off after a great assist from Belotti.

Whilst playing with character and superior technical skills, Italy soon scored twice in quick succession to enter the break with a comfortable lead. Italy’s second came thanks to a fantastic finish from Insigne, while Bonucci headed in the away side’s third following a left-sided cross from Emerson Palmieri.

Following the interval, it was pleasing to see Italy give up so little to their opponents – truly demonstrating a winning mentality. However, Sirigu was called into action come the 70th minute, as he beat away a great effort from Fortounis. 

De Sciglio, Insigne, Chiesa, Florenzi and Insigne all soon missed chances to make it four, before the final whistle was blown on a positive night for the Azzurri.

In what was a first away win of Euro 2020 qualifying for Roberto Mancini’s National Team, they’ve now strengthened their grip on top spot in Group J. However, a tough test awaits on Tuesday, with the Azzurri set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Juventus Stadium.

 

European Qualifiers
Group K
Matchday three (8th June)
Finland-Bosnia 2-0
Armenia-Liechtenstein 3-0
Greece-ITALY

Standings: ITALY points 9, Finland 6, Bosnia and Greece 4, Armenia 3, Liechtenstein 0

 

Squad

Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Cagliari), Pierluigi Gollini (Atalanta); Salvatore Sirigu (Torino), Antonio Mirante (Roma);

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Lazio), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus), Emerson Palmieri (Chelsea), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Armando Izzo (Torino), Gianluca Mancini (Atalanta), Alessio Romagnoli (Milan);

Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Cagliari), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Frello Filho Jorge Luiz Jorginho (Chelsea), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Stefano Sensi (Sassuolo), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain), Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma);

Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Vincenzo Grifo (Friburgo), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Moise Kean (Juventus), Leonardo Pavoletti (Cagliari), Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria).

Staff – Head Coach: Roberto Mancini; National Team Coordintaor: Gabriele Oriali; Assistant Coaches: Alberico Evani, Attilio Lombardo, Giulio Nuciari, Fausto Salsano; Fitness coaches: Claudio Donatelli and Andrea Scanavino; Goalkeeping coach: Massimo Battara; Match Analyst: Antonio Gagliardi; Doctors: Andrea Ferretti and Carmine Costabile; Physiotherapist: Maurizio Fagorzi, Emanuele Randelli, Fabrizio Scalzi, Luca Lascialfari, Fabio Sannino; Hosteopath: Walter Marinelli; Nutritionist: Matteo Pincella.

Squad schedule and media commitments 

Sunday 9 June

11:00 l.t. Training (closed door)

15:45 l.t. Airport transfer

17:00 l.t. Flight from Athens to Turin

19:00 Arrival and transfer to the hotel

Monday 10 June

17:30 Press conference MD-1 c/o “Juventus Stadium”

18:00 Training MD-1 c/o “Juventus Stadium” (first 15 minutes open to accredited press)

Tuesday 11 June

20:45 MD4 Italy–Bosnia Herzegovina - “Juventus Stadium”