Italy 1-0 Sweden: Giorgio Chiellini Header Earns Azzurri Comfortable Win

The Azzurri end 2009 on a high.

Nov 18, 2009 4:40:35 PM

More On :  Italy, Sweden
Italy-Sweden: Chiellini goal (Getty Images)

A second string Italy team ended the calendar year on a high with a 1-0 friendly win over Sweden in Cesena, with Giorgio Chiellini heading home the winner from a corner in the first half.

Marcello Lippi changed most of the XI that had drawn 0-0 with the Netherlands in Pescara on Saturday night. Federico Marchetti started in goal, Nicola Legrottaglie came in at centre back while Christian Maggio and Domenico Criscito patrolled the full back positions. In midfield, Antonio Candreva and Davide Biondini started after their promising debuts against the Dutch. Giampaolo Pazzini led the attack.

Sweden, who had failed to qualify for the World Cup, were without a host of key players too. These included Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcus Berg and Kim Kallstrom. Tobias Hysen was the lone frontman, while the Scandinavians boasted two former Juventus players in their line-up through goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson and defender Olof Mellberg.

Sweden had a glorious chance to take the lead within the first two minutes as Hysen raced clean through on goal but Marchetti made a fantastic stop. From the following corner, Johan Elmander's back-flick was brilliantly saved again by Marchetti.

Italy created their first chance on eight minutes as Isaksson did excellently to somehow turn Giorgio Chiellini's header over the bar.

Candreva had started confidently and on 18 minutes he lobbed over the bar from an inspired Antonio Di Natale long pass.

Soon after there was a double chance as first Isaksson saved Di Natale's volley, and then Biondini struck the rebound wide.

Italy's defense looked far from secure when Sweden came forward, and a misunderstanding led to Elmander scuffing wide of the post.

The Azzurri eventually broke the deadlock on 28 minutes through Chiellini who headed home unmarked from a corner after a flick-on by Pazzini.

Chiellini went close again before half time as Italy went in 1-0 ahead in a first half where Candreva and Di Natale had starred..


Chiellini broke the deadlock

Italy made three changes at the break as Giuseppe Rossi, Daniele Galloppa and Mattia Cassani replaced Candreva, Biondini and Christian Maggio.

The home side had the first attempt of the second half as Pazzini's effort was deflected into Isaksson's arms.

Di Natale continued to torment the Swedish defense, and he cut inside before curling over the bar from 20 yards. Rossi was looking bright after his introduction, and shot too high too.

Italy kept coming forward, and Pazzini was the next to test Isaksson. On 68 minutes Marchionni squandered a superb opportunity as he miscontrolled with just the keeper to beat.

Galloppa lashed a long-range free kick over the bar, while Pazzini was denied late on by an important Mellberg challenge.

With this win Italy end 2009 in the best possible fashion, while Sweden will want to forget all about the last two years and look ahead to the Euro 2012 qualification campaign.

Anthony Sormani, Goal.com

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