Graziano Pelle's curler proved just about enough for Italy to beat a negative Scotland 1-0 in this friendly.
Graziano Pelle's curler proved just about enough for Italy to beat a negative Scotland 1-0 in this friendly.
This was the final friendly test before cutting the 30-man preliminary squad down to 23 for Euro 2016. Daniele De Rossi and Eder were given one last chance to prove their form and fitness in the starting XI, while Thiago Motta and Riccardo Montolivo were rested due to calf problems.
Scotland had only ever beaten Italy once, 1-0 in 1965, along with two draws and seven Azzurri victories. It was their first encounter since a 2008 European qualifier.
David Marshall performed a desperate early double save on Antonio Candreva’s fierce free kick and the Emanuele Giaccherini follow-up.
Giaccherini ballooned over from 12 yards after a Candreva assist, then the Lazio man volleyed off target from the edge of the box on a corner.
It was 0 for 3 from Bologna midfielder Giaccherini, who prodded over from a difficult angle on De Rossi’s smart dinked pass over the top.
Candreva shinned a volley and Alessandro Florenzi drilled just wide. Eder had penalty appeals, but replays suggest he tripped himself up.
Scotland went even deeper after the restart, often crowded into their own penalty area, and Giaccherini was unlucky to be incorrectly flagged offside.
Italy finally found a way through when Eder laid off a De Rossi through ball for Graziano Pelle', who curled a splendid right-foot finish into the near top corner.
Scotland had their first chance of the entire game on 78 minutes, as a double defensive error allowed Matt Ritchie space and he hit the side-netting.
Italy 1-0 Scotland
Scorers: Pelle' 57 (I)
Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva (Parolo 62), Florenzi, De Rossi (Jorginho 67), Giaccherini (Bonaventura 80), Darmian (Bernardeschi 60); Pelle' (Zaza 67), Eder (Insigne 60)
Scotland: Marshall; Paterson (Berra 46), Martin, Hanley, Mulgrew; Ritchie, D Fletcher, McArthur (Bryson 83), Phillips (Burke 76), McCormack (S Fletcher 46), Anya (Naismith 76)
Ref: Sant (MAL)