Italy national team continue their positive result ahead of the upcoming Euro 2012 qualification after successfully beating home team, Polandia 2-0 in a friendly match on Friday.
Two goals from Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini gave Cesare Prandelli a confidence boost that his attacking line up can still be count on despite the absent of Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano, who both could miss out on the competition due to long term injuries.
Playing away against one of the upcoming Euro 2012 host, Italy actually didn’t play up to their best but the quality of their players pretty much decided the outcome of the friendly match as Balotelli proved his maturity with a lovely well taken goal. After a pretty even attacking exchanges, the Manchester City striker struck a vicious long range shot which beat Wojciech Szczesny, who looked to be wandering out of his line a bit.
Both teams continue to create chances after Italy’s goal, but until the first half ends, both teams failed to convert any more chances into goals. In the second period things go more interesting since the two teams are making several changes and it was the Azzurri, who managed to double their lead through Giampaolo Pazzini’s dubious offside goal.
The Inter Milan striker tap in Balotelli’s cut back into the net but there’s was a strong offside suspicion since Pazzini was already ahead when the ball reached him. Poland actually had a chance to pull a goal back from the penalty spot but Blaszczykowski’s spot kick was easily gathered by Gianluigi Buffon, giving the Italian a decent two goals victory.
After the match, Cesare Prandelli, revealed his delight with the result and also his team’s performance especially Mario Balotelli, who the coach think has finally showed consistency in his game. Although wasn’t entirely pleased with what he seen but the ex-Fiorentina coach believes that the Azzurri are on the right path in doing well in the upcoming tournament.
“This is worth a lot, as aside from the goal, he played a great game and was always in the thick of things,” Prandelli said. “Compliments to Mario and the whole team. It’s important to maintain a certain balance and I think the lads approached the match well, keeping another clean sheet.”
Poland v Italy 0-2
Goals: Balotelli 30, Pazzini 60 (Pazzini)
Poland: Szczesny;Piszczek, Perquis (Wasilewski 68), Glowacki, Wawrzyniak; Polanski (Matuszczyk 65), Murawski (Dudka 79); Blaszczykowski, Obraniak (Brozec 56), Peszko (Mierzejewski 65); Lewandowski
Italy: Buffon;Abate, Ranocchia, Chiellini, Criscito (Ogbonna 77); De Rossi (Pepe 46), Pirlo (Thiago Motta 46), Marchisio (Nocerino 61); Montolivo (Aquilani 61); Pazzini (Matri 61), Balotelli
