Manuel Pasqual believes it would’ve been a different game had some of Italy’s chances not hit the Malta woodwork.

The Azzurri secured a 1-0 victory in their Euro 2016 qualifier, maintaining their 100 per cent record, but the result and performance were far from convincing against 10 men.

Manuel Pasqual believes it would’ve been a different game had some of Italy’s chances not hit the Malta woodwork.

The Azzurri secured a 1-0 victory in their Euro 2016 qualifier, maintaining their 100 per cent record, but the result and performance were far from convincing against 10 men.

“We had started very well, hit the woodwork twice and then didn’t have the strength to finish it off,” Pasqual told Rai Sport.

“When Malta went down to 10 men, we had even less space than before, as they completely clammed up.”

In total Italy rattled the frame of the Maltese goal four times during this match.

“Perhaps we were unable to move the ball around quickly, that is true, but we focus on the positive of the result and will take the game to Croatia.”

Coach Antonio Conte suggested there was fatigue, but Pasqual shrugged off questions about why the tempo was so sluggish.

“We must not seek alibis for tonight’s performance. The positive things are the result and Graziano’s goal, but with so many shots hitting the woodwork we certainly had the opportunities to close up the game.”

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