Three wonder debut goals from Rossi, Foggia and Pellissier handed Italy a comfortable victory over Northern Ireland in Pisa this evening…

Marcello Lippi opted to test out some new blood as Italy prepared for their Confederations Cup campaign in South Africa. The big news in the pre-match build up was the first start for young Inter starlet Davide Santon, who made his full international debut at just 18 years of age.

First Half 

Italy started brightly as they looked to attack the visitors down the flanks. After just two minutes Santon showed why he is regarded so highly on the peninsula as he underwent a mazy run down the right, to penetrate right into the heart of the Irish defence. Unfortunately his lay off to Mascara was rushed and the Catania forward was easily dealt with by Casement.

As the Azzurri started to get into their stride they began to push the visitor’s back behind the ball. After just 15 minutes David Healy was beginning to look more and more isolated up top as his side made heavy work of joining him in attack.

The first real chance of the game fell to Pazzini on 17 minutes, when the Sampdoria forward was given a free shot from the edge of the box. After a wonderful floated assist from Montolivo, Pazzini sprayed over and should have tested the keeper from such a range.

Less than three minutes later however the Azzurri broke the deadlock through a wonderful strike from Giuseppe Rossi. After some clever link up play with Mascara, the Villarreal hitman carved through the Northern Ireland backline and smashed a shot in off the post from 20 yards.

As the half wore on Lippi’s side started to take a hold on the game and the visitors began to look increasingly short of ideas. With a buzzing atmosphere from the Pisa crowd, La Nazionale appeared full of energy as they looked to push on for a second.

Just minutes before the break the Azzurri should have doubled after a great move down the right left Montolivo open for a crack on goal. Unfortunately his shot took a deflection on route and Tuffey managed to stab the ball clear with an outstretched leg.

Second Half

After Lippi opted to make four changes during the interval, the visitors looked to take advantage with their first clear cut chance of the game. As Carson threaded Little through on the box, the subsequent shot was straight at Marchetti who parried wide with little trouble.

It took just five minutes however for Lippi’s substitutes to make their influence felt, whenFoggia doubled the scoring on 52 minutes. After receiving a square ball from Rossi, the Lazio winger skipped past Casement with his trademark dribble and finished off the move with a delightful chip over Tuffey.

Just 60 seconds later the Azzurri were handed a golden opportunity to the result beyond doubt when Tuffey came sliding out at the feet of an advancing Pazzini in the box. The Sampdoria man failed to convert the penalty as he watched his effort come crashing off the post to leave the scoreline at 2-0.

Italy continued to push forward and there were promising signs from Lippi’s choice of personnel. Pasquale Foggia continued to cause a nuisance down the right as he looked to run at the visitor’s backline at every possible occasion.

On 72 minutes Italy added a third to their haul with another wonder strike this time fromSergio Pellissier. As the ball was lofted in from the left by Brighi, the Chievo hitman controlled on his chest and fired home a wonderful overhead kick past Mannus at the near post. The Gialloblu striker was obviously moved as he celebrated a goal on his international debut with the rest of the side.

As the game drew to a conclusion the home side coasted to the finish line much as they had done for the previous 80 minutes. Pasquale Foggia continued to show glimpses of brilliance and Lippi’s men saw out what proved to be a comfortable victory.

Marcello Lippi was undoubtedly pleased as his experimental side demonstrated a desire to prove their worth in the build up to the Confederations Cup.