Conte confirms Italy rotation for Ireland game

Jun 18, 2016, 17:00
Conte confirms Italy rotation for Ireland game

"Above all I think that there should be great satisfaction on the part of everybody because I think there are very few who would have thought of us qualifying for the last 16 after just two games", he said.

Italy came out the blocks quickly and Eder cut back for Graziano Pelle a minute or so into the half but the ball bounced up and Pelle fired high and wide.

Croatia dominated for most of the game and deservedly went ahead when Perisic opened the scoring in the 37th minute after shooting past Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech with a low angled shot into the corner.

Italian coach Antonio Conte's only switch was Roma's Alessandro Florenzi coming on for Manchester United's Matteo Darmian.

"Because the goal he scored against me in 2004 was worth six", Buffon said, when asked to explain why Ibrahimovic had not beaten him in so long.

In their opening group game at Euro 2016, they caught the eye as they outfoxed one of the tournament favourites in Belgium with patient and well-organised football.

Shot-shy and shaky for much of the match, Italy were only still in contention in those closing stages because the Swedes were even worse.

The Scandinavian outfit enjoyed most of the possession for the opening hour of the match, yet did very little with it and were made to rue the lack of opportunities they forged as the Azzurri managed to find a victor and steal the point the Swedes believed they had gained.

But even Conte admitted even he was surprised at his side's positive start.

This result means that Italy have qualified for the next round, with Sweden close to the exit, before Republic of Ireland and Belgium play on tomorrow.

It looked easier to score than miss, but the 34-year-old Ibrahimovic somehow contrived to spoon the ball over the crossbar from all of two yards - thankfully for him, the linesman flagged for offside to spare his blushes.

"It was very hard for us to score against such a well organised and strong defence", he said.

Neither goal was threatened until Marco Parolo's header hit the bar after connecting on a fantastic Emanuele Giaccherini cross.

Although, just when it seemed like the game would end in a 0-0 stalemate, the Italians found a way to break the deadlock in the 88th minute. Three minutes later Turkey defender Mehmet Topal headed a lofted pass by Cesc Fabregas straight into the path of Nolito who neatly tucked the ball home from close range.

"Of course I'm disappointed, as are the players at this moment in time, " Sweden coach Erik Hamren said. Italy had proven there was much to enjoy in their organised, obdurate defending in their opening game, but when it is paired with an anaemic attack the neutral can not expect thrills and spills aplenty.

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