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  Graziano Pelle stars as Italy beat Scotland

Graziano Pelle stars as Italy beat Scotland

AFP
Published : May 31, 2016, 3:01 am IST
Updated : May 31, 2016, 3:01 am IST

Southampton striker Graziano Pelle hit a second-half winner as an injury-depleted Italy beat Scotland 1-0 in a disjointed Euro 2016 friendly in Malta.

Southampton striker Graziano Pelle hit a second-half winner as an injury-depleted Italy beat Scotland 1-0 in a disjointed Euro 2016 friendly in Malta.

With his midfield decimated through injuries to Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti, and Thiago Motta and Riccardo Montolivo resting due to calf problems, Italy coach Antonio Conte gave Roma’s Daniele De Rossi a chance to impress before announcing his 23-man Euro 2016 squad on Tuesday.

Inter striker Eder was in a similar position, having failed to spark for the Nerazzurri following his move from Sampdoria.

Thankfully for both, Eder and De Rossi were involved when Pelle pounced to beat David Marshall in the 57th minute with a clinical strike from the edge of the area last night.

But before then, the Azzurri flattered to deceive in a largely messy first half punctuated by three near misses from enterprising Bologna midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini.

Scotland’s sole victory over Italy came in 1965 and this was the sides’ first meeting since a Euro 2008 qualifier.

Almost immediately, Gordon Strachan’s men were under threat, Marshall producing saves to stop Antonio Candreva’s fierce free-kick and Giaccherini’s follow-up.

Deploying 3-5-2, Conte saw Italy create chances but will be disappointed with the lack of return.