Maximum results with minimum effort. Italy brings home three fundamental points in the run-up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil without tiring too much. Yesterday evening a brace in the first half by SuperMario Balotelli was enough to settle the modest (but more than willing) Malta.
The first goal comes after a few minutes from a penalty: El Shaarawy lying in the area (crystal clear), Balo from the spot to displace. Flawless. The second goal, on the other hand, is much more spectacular: De Sciglio (who plays with the confidence of a veteran) perfectly collects a long ball, unmarks himself and puts it back for SuperMario's open plate, who scores with precision at the far post. After doubling, boredom entered the field, with the Azzurri limiting themselves to checking while the opponents ran with commendable commitment.
Yet, among the Italian goals, the Maltese had twice come close to drawing. To avoid the sensational 1-1, Buffon thought first, who saved without too much trouble a badly thrown penalty, then the crossbar, which stopped a nice shot from outside.
"We knew we couldn't find space, we were too slow in building up and therefore we ran into difficulties, even though we kept possession of the ball throughout the game - commented the blue coach, Cesare Prandelli - there was a lack of intensity in final stage. There was too much distance between defenders and midfielders and the wind affects long distance passing. It was important to win, we did some things well, not others. What can we bring home from these last two games? The excellent performance against Brazil and these three points. We know that, when there are organized and aggressive teams, we have to be quicker in maneuvering”.
