Italy’s forward Graziano Pelle (right) heads the ball during the UEFA Euro 2016 group H qualifying match against Malta.

 

DPA/Rome


There was little will to celebrate at the Azzurri camp after a crucial 1-0 win over Malta that put Italy atop their qualification group to Euro 2016.
La Nazionale have now 15 points in Group H, and sit level with Croatia, who drew 0-0 at Azerbaijan. The Croats have a better goal difference, but could be deducted one point over a swastika that was visible on the pitch during a 1-1 draw with the Azzurri in June.
UEFA were to rule on the Croat federation appeal, while third-place Norway are on 13 after a 1-0 win at Bulgaria.
With three games to be played against Bulgaria, on Sunday, and Azerbaijan and Norway next month, the Azzurri are well positioned to clinch one of two qualifying spots, but the mood surrounding them is far from enthusiastic.
Local media Friday had plenty of puns about the winner that Graziano Pelle scored with his arm, as game officials failed to notice while the Maltese guests protested at Florence’s Artemio Franchi.
“Italy in Pelle’s arms” and “Pelle lends us a hand” were common puns both in media and bars as La Gazzetta titled, “Ugly Italy, but now they are first in the group.”
Coach Antonio Conte looked rather glum as he answered questions after the game, saying that “all that mattered today was winning,” but also noting the inability to score that again plagued his team, who have netted 10 goals in the seven games of the qualifying campaign.
Pelle and his striking mates Eder and Manolo Gabbiadini had no telling chances in the first half as Italy tried to pierce a defence line often counting more than eight men.
Conte’s squad missed speed and variety to overcome Malta’s tight defence as veteran playmaker Andrea Pirlo and his designated heir Marco Verratti were stymied and few crosses came from the flanks.
Things improved after the break as Gabbiadini hit the bar and substitute Antonio Candreva provided more pressure on the right. His cross in the 69th minute allowed Pelle to flick home from close range, as he did when Italy edged Malta last October, also netting a single goal.
“There are no more underdogs,” Conte said, explaining the poor showing of his squad against opponents that keep improving technically and tactically.
On the flip side, however, it could be Italy who are declining technically, failing to find top-notch players as they currently sit 16th in the FIFA rankings - surprising trailing countries like Slovakia, Austria and Wales.
The alarm about Italy’s decline sounded loud at last year’s World Cup in Brazil, with the Azzurri eliminated at the group stage, but the change of helmsman from Cesare Prandelli to Conte has had no noticeable effects.
“I do not see steps ahead from the past year,” wrote in la Repubblica Fabrizio Bocca, who said he expects more from Conte, and labelled Pelle’s goal “fake and unfair.”
As Conte keeps tweaking his squad, he could get a boost from the return of Mario Balotelli at AC Milan after a dull stint at Liverpool.

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