Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has had to make some changes to the original squad as four players – Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Robert Snodgrass, Shaun Maloney, Andrew Robertson (all Hull City) – were not available for today’s match as they were involved in yesterday’s Football League Championship Play-Off final in England.
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Half-time substitute Fletcher trod on the ball and fell over to surrender possession and Italy worked a couple of quick passes around the edge of the box before Pelle curled into the corner from 20 yards.
The main culprit was Emanuele Giaccherini, who missed three golden opportunities in the first half. The Scots were always going to be up against it as they faced an Italian squad playing for places in Antonio Conte’s final 23-man Euro 2016 pool, but their attacking play was non-existent for most of the game.
“We’re still in construction mode and we’re doing it little by little”. We are above all working on a technical-tactical level, otherwise I’d pick my players based on their times running a marathon.
“I am not a magician, so I don’t know what we’ll have when we get to the first game of Euro 2016”.
“We have quite a few things to iron out but I think we’re on the right road”. Italy had 13 in the first period alone.
Nearly immediately, Gordon Strachan’s men were under threat, Marshall producing saves to stop Antonio Candreva’s fierce free-kick and Giaccherini’s follow-up.
Italy were World Champions back then, but have since experienced a massive downturn in fortunes, with the nation now struggling to hold onto their elite team status.
“I am happy for the goal, but we didn’t shine”.
An early return to the pitch three minutes before kick-off was a sign of Italy’s intentions and the hosts visibly moved up a gear before breaking the deadlock.
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Southampton striker Graziano Pelle was the beneficiary as he scored his fifth worldwide goal, curling a powerful shot inside the post.
