ITALY’S RESERVES STEP UP
Azzurri unbeaten in 30 matches with 1-0 over Wales
Rome: Roberto Mancini has been saying for weeks that all 26 members of his squad are starters. And after beating Wales 1-0 yesterday despite making eight changes to his starting lineup at the European Championship, it’s hard to argue with him.
“It’s important that the identity of the team remains the same, as changing three or four players shouldn’t make any difference. They all know what to do and the end product doesn’t change,” Mancini said.
“They all proved today that everyone here is a first-choice player,” the coach added.
Winning wasn’t even necessary, which made it difficult in terms of mentality, but we fought for the win anyway and that shows so much.”
The victory extended Italy’s unbeaten streak to 30 matches, matching a team record.
In other action, Switzerland ended up third in the group, also with four points, after beating Turkey 3-1 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Matteo Pessina gave Italy the lead late in the first half by redirecting a free kick from Marco Verratti on a textbook play.
WALES QUALIfiES FOR LAST OF 16 Wales defender Ethan Ampadu was sent off with a questionable straight red card for stepping on Federico Bernardeschi 10 minutes into the second half.
Italy, which won its opening two matches 3-0, finished Group A with a perfect nine points.
Wales came second with four points and qualified for the last 16 at only its second European Championship. The Welsh reached the semifinals at Euro 2016.
“Our focus today was as long as we qualify we’re happy,” Wales defender Neco Williams said.
“In the changing room it feels like we won the game.”
Italy produced 23 scoring attempts to Wales’ three, held 64 per cent of the possession and completed 553 passes to Wales.
Chasing only its second European title, Italy will play the second-place team from Group C at Wembley Stadium in London next Saturday. Wales will play the second-place team from Group B in Amsterdam.
The victory also marked Italy’s 11th straight win and clean sheet.
The Azzurri first won 30 straight under coaching great Vittorio Pozzo from 1935-39 with a team that won its second consecutive World Cup.