A first-half goal by Giuseppe Rossi helped 10-man Italy to a 2-0 friendly victory in Ukraine on Tuesday
This was probably the best performance in an Italy shirt for Villarreal striker, and he fired Italy into the lead on the 28th minute when he scored from close range following a scramble after a swift counter attack.
Italy had to play the lats 15 minutes with 10-men after substitute Davide Astori was sent-off. But while the Ukrainians pressed hard for an equalizer, they left themselves open to the counter-attack and Italy executed it perfectly with Alessandro Matri’s first international goal in the 80th minute after the Ukraine defence was caught stretched.
So a good week for Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, who saw his side take a huge step into the Euro finals with Friday’s 1-0 win in Slovenia and was happy with the teams performance tonight:
“I asked my players to play more aggressive football despite the fact it was a friendly game. It was even more pleasant to claim victory after we had been reduced to 10 men,” he told reporters. “I had an opportunity to see a few players in action. I am not happy with the performance of some players in midfield. They have to concentrate more in some episodes.”