Azzurri fans saw much the same fare as they did against Scotland, their side beating a spent Finnish team 2-0 and answering few of the many questions that they have coming into Euro 2016. Edo Dalmonte rates Antonio Conte’s Italy.

 

Salvatore Sirigu NV

Much like his season at PSG, he had precious little to do. Fans who would have preferred to see Mattia Perin or Marco Sportiello (or anyone who plays on a regular basis, for that matter) would have been disappointed either way. Trainspotter.

Azzurri fans saw much the same fare as they did against Scotland, their side beating a spent Finnish team 2-0 and answering few of the many questions that they have coming into Euro 2016. Edo Dalmonte rates Antonio Conte’s Italy.

 

Salvatore Sirigu NV

Much like his season at PSG, he had precious little to do. Fans who would have preferred to see Mattia Perin or Marco Sportiello (or anyone who plays on a regular basis, for that matter) would have been disappointed either way. Trainspotter.

 

Andrea Barzagli 6  

Didn’t make any mistakes, but that was hardly a challenge against a Finnish team already on holiday, and who subbed off Teemo Pukki (their only striker) for Robin Lod (a midfielder) at half-time. Overkill.

 

Giorgio Chiellini 6

A couple of nice tackles, including an early one which he read perfectly. Gave it away a few times too many when trying to bring it forward. Will be given a far sterner test later this month. No Need to Argue.

 

Leonardo Bonucci 6

Very similar to Chiellini, though his touch was more reliable. Didn’t have to make as many stops. Blue Monday.

 

Antonio Candreva 6.5

His penalty was perfect, and he came up with the assist for De Rossi’s goal. Was still pretty wasteful, and his end product is far from satisfactory. Has been playing like this for Lazio for longer than we’d initially think. Still one of the few to try to beat his man, though the penalty was a gift from the hapless Finnish defence. Generous.

 

Marco Parolo 5.5

Hardly did much with the ball, but then again that’s not what he was asked to do, often overlapping with Candreva when his Lazio team-mate dropped deep. A couple of nice touches in link-up play. Blame the workman, not the tools.

 

Thiago Motta 5

Was far too lackadaisical in possession, and barely ever fed it forwards. Felt like he was slowing Italy’s attack down, which is harder to do than you’d imagine. Ray Wilkins

 

Emanuele Giaccherini 5

Tried very hard, like a bench player in a late-summer friendly. Only problem is that Giaccherini is set to start next week. Decent runs off the ball, though his touch is still mediocre. Maybe his seven Bologna goals were the result of him having so much energy to spare? Ruben Olivera.

 

Stephan El Shaarawy 6

Some nice dribbles, freed Giaccherini with a peach of a backheel midway through the first half. At least he tried to do something, but the absence of mobility or variety from Italy’s midfield really penalized him. There was no Diego Perotti to help him go for the one-two here. Last of the Mohicans.

 

Ciro Immobile 4.5

His fakes (Italy’s Plan B) were good, probably because they didn’t involve him touching the ball. Finally managed a one-two deep into the second half, had a nice effort on target late on. Previously got into El Shaarawy’s way as he tried to shoot. Is frankly not suited to this style of play. Agricultural.

 

Simone Zaza 6

Worked very hard, but against opponents who were playing at walking pace. Will one or two defensive tackles really make a difference in France? Got a few one-twos right, and almost as many wrong. Tends to lose composure quickly, or shoot prematurely. Eager Beaver.

 

Daniele De Rossi 6.5

Made Thiago Motta look very bad, immediately gave Italy another dimension in attack with his crisp passing. He’s good at those headers, though he was given an awful lot of space initially and wasn’t picked up at all. It’s still baffling why Jorginho hasn’t been given a fair shake. The Lesser of Two Evils

 

Alessandro Florenzi 6

Had an interesting run in the second half, but came on far too late to make a difference. Twelfth hour.

 

Federico Bernardeschi 5

Tried a couple of tricks on the wing, but also missed a through ball which could have gifted Pellè Italy’s

third. Fashionably Late.

 

Graziano Pellè 5

Took a shot when Parolo had found space in the box, but is everything Zaza is not: economical in movement, yet purposeful on the ball. Given little time to really strut his stuff.

 

Angelo Ogbonna NV

Came on in the dying seconds. RAI analyst Walter Zenga claimed that he was coming off an excellent season at West Ham. Oddly enough, that was the least inaccurate statement Zenga made this evening.

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