Call it “factor C”. Let's explain immediately, before Conte gets angry, that the consonant in question does not refer to the blindfolded goddess but to Giorgio Chiellini, the true protagonist, for better or for worse, of Italy-Azerbaijan. In addition to the coach himself, God forbid, whose changes inspired the final victory. It was supposed to be a walk instead, thanks to some episodes (and they fit in football!), It turned out to be quite an effort. In the end, however, the Azzurri got the better of Berti Vogts' Azeris and now command the classification of group H, albeit hand in hand with Croatia (0-1 in Bulgaria). “It was the victory of courage – explained Conte immediately after the match. – We suffered, it's true, but I have little to reproach the boys for. These are the typical trick matches, where you miss many goals and are punished for the first corner kick. I'm happy with the reaction, we've shown we're a team with attributes." True, because the narrow 2-1 shouldn't deceive: the success was deserved. Sure, the opponent had to be modest and modest he was. No shots on goal for more than an hour, then, as in Conte's worst nightmares, a free kick (the only way Azerbaijan could score) to dampen Barbera's enthusiasm. Before it had been only Italy even if, unfortunately, from wet dust.
That old foxy Vogts played it in the most logical way possible: low center of gravity and clogged spaces. And so the Azzurri only found opportunities from set pieces, making themselves dangerous anyway. First Bonucci grounded Agayev, then Ranocchia sent slightly high. The goal was mature and arrived in the 44th minute with Chiellini, good at exploiting the Azeri number one's empty header. The lead at the end of the first half unlocked Italy which, at the start of the second half, was finally able to express its best. First Zaza flourished the post to Agayev's left on an assist from Bonucci, then he repeated himself in front of goal, this time missing a good opportunity. Doubling in the air and instead, as in the most ruthless (and frequent) law of football, here is the draw for the guests. Buffon and Chiellini messed around on developments from a corner and Vogts could thus exult in a mocking draw. At that point, however, Antonio Conte let loose: Florenzi and Darmian out, Giovinco and Candreva in. The message (woe to leave Barbera with a draw) was received loud and clear and the Azzurri charged with their heads down in search of the winning goal. Which arrived in the 83rd minute again with Chiellini (!), served splendidly by teammate Sebastian for a soft and ruthless header at the same time. The 2-1 didn't satiate Italy, in their constant search for the goal to chase away thoughts, but Giovinco's right foot hit the crossbar to the applause of the Palermo crowd. Gocek's final whistle thus sanctioned a well-deserved, albeit painful, success. On the other hand, as Conte explained on the eve, in competitions like these there are no easy games. Ahead of Malta (Monday evening) everyone better keep that in mind.
