Marco Parolo warned it was “hard to score when Malta put everyone behind the ball” after a 1-0 Italy victory.
The Euro 2016 qualifier was decided by Graziano Pelle bundling an Antonio Candreva cross over the line from point-blank range.
“The important thing was to win and it’s always hard to score against a side that puts everyone behind the ball,” Parolo told Rai Sport.
Marco Parolo warned it was “hard to score when Malta put everyone behind the ball” after a 1-0 Italy victory.
The Euro 2016 qualifier was decided by Graziano Pelle bundling an Antonio Candreva cross over the line from point-blank range.
“The important thing was to win and it’s always hard to score against a side that puts everyone behind the ball,” Parolo told Rai Sport.
“The goal was in the air, as we were piling on pressure and hit the woodwork just before that.
“It’s important to qualify as soon as possible and with a great game against Bulgaria on Sunday we should be able to get it done.
“If you don’t break the deadlock with a free kick or an incident that goes your way, it becomes difficult. All teams are tactically prepared, defend in numbers and study your approach, so it’s never easy nowadays.
“I had a few situations to score and went close, so hopefully my first Italy goal can arrive on Sunday.”