Italy defeated Albania 1-0 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa on Tuesday night in an international friendly.
Sampdoria striker Stefano Okaka scored the winner late in the game, albeit with a deflection from Albania’s Hamdi Sahili
The first 10 minutes were rather cagey and the only thing worthy of note was that Alessio Cerci came off the field temporarily because of a torn jersey.
Cerci was Italy’s most lively player in the first half. He tested Berisha at the near post and then he crossed for Giovinco but the tiny striker failed to get a touch. Giovinco then tried to turn past Lorik Cana but he was obstructed and Marco Parolo shot straight at Berisha after collecting the loose ball.
Giovinco crossed from the left-wing for Leonardo Bonucci but his header forced an excellent save from Berisha at the far post. Soon after, Albanian striker Sokol Cikalleshi dribbled past Alberto Aquilani and his shot had hit the post.
Andrea Bertolacci forced another fine save out of Berisha after he volleyed Cerci’s cross from the right and Cikalleshi had another chance for Albania from long range but Salvatore Sirigu caught the ball easily. Cerci had the final chance of the first half when his curling shot was parried away by Berisha and forced a corner.
Early in the second half, Cerci crossed for Destro, who then flicked the ball to Giovinco and he shot straight at Berisha. Emiliano Moretti back-passed to Sirigu, who lost the ball but the Albanians failed to pounce.
Italy started to increase the tempo and control the play. Giovinco had shot blocked by Cana and then Cerci’s through-ball found Destro but he shot wide. Ermir Lenjani had a rare chance for Albania when he forced a save out of Sirigu but Italy’s domination continued as Cerci’s bending shot was saved by Berisha.
Taulant Xhaka had a free-kick saved by Sirigu. Alessandro Matri’s low cross was deflected but Okaka with his back to goal received the ball, turned and shot. Once again Berisha denied the Azzurri a goal.
Three Albanian fans ran onto the pitch, with the first one bringing a flag onto the pitch and getting it signed by Cana.
Italy took the lead after 82 minutes when Doria striker Okaka flicked a header towards goal at the near post after a corner and Sahili’s deflection guided the ball into the net.
Mattia Perin easily caught the ball from an Albanian cross and he kicked the ball away for the final kick of the match.
