Goals from Antonio Candreva and second half substitute Daniele De Rossi were enough for Italy to claim a 2-0 victory over Finland in Verona’s Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on Monday evening.
The Lazio man converted a first half penalty to put Antonio Conte’s side ahead, before turning provider in the second half as his delightful cross was met by the head of the Roman to double the Azzurri’s lead.
Italy started the brighter and could have gone ahead within 15 minutes, only for an own goal to be disallowed due to deemed interference from Ciro Immobile. As the half wore on and progressed beyond the half hour mark, Candreva himself was fouled in the area, which presented him with the opportunity to convert from the penalty spot.
De Rossi’s introduction for Thiago Motta sparked more life into the Azzurri, who then doubled their lead within ten minutes of the Roma midfielder’s introduction as he headed home Candreva’s cross.
Juventus forward Simone Zaza – earning a rare start since his move to the Bianconeri – could and perhaps should have put the game beyond any doubt as the final ten minutes drew nearer, only for his left-footed strike to be saved with relative ease by Finnish shot-stopper Lukas Hradecky.
Next up for Conte’s blues is their EURO 2016 Group E opener against Belgium in Lyon on June 13, before they travel to meet Sweden on June 17 in Toulouse and the Republic of Ireland in Lille on June 23.
