Italy end winless streak in Estonia
Reuters - Friday 03 September 2010, 22:21
TALLINN - Italy, short of confidence and
fielding several new faces, halted their seven-game win drought
with a laboured 2-1 victory over Estonia in a Euro 2012
qualifier on Friday.
Estonia opened the scoring in the 31st minute when forward
Sergei Zenjov struck after Italian keeper Salvatore Sirigu lost
his grip on the wet ball.
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The 2006 world champions patently lacked confidence and did
not find an equaliser until the second half when forward Antonio
Cassano scored in the 59th minute.
Italy's second came from defender Leonardo Bonucci, who
tapped home from close range.
"It's a strong emotion," coach Cesare Prandelli told Rai TV
after his first competitive game in charge.
"We had the right reaction and deserved to win. I said at
halftime we had to continue doing the right things, but with
more speed. We made mistakes on nearly every dead ball we
conceded."
Play was interrupted twice in the second half when
spectators ran on to the pitch.
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