Ten-man Italy see off Ukraine
Reuters - Tuesday 29 March 2011, 21:52
KIEV - A first-half goal by Giuseppe
Rossi helped 10-man Italy to a 2-0 friendly victory in Ukraine
on Tuesday, undermining home coach Yuri Kalitvintsev's hopes of
keeping the job long-term.
Villarreal striker Rossi, who have flattered to deceive for
Italy in the past, shone throughout the game and fired his side
into the lead on the 28th minute when he scored from close range
following a scramble after a swift counter-attack.
Though Italy lost substitute Davide Astori to a 75th minute
red card and the Ukrainians pressed hard, the visitors wrapped
up victory with Alessandro Matri's first international goal in
the 80th minute after the defence was caught stretched.
Ukraine, whose caretaker coach Kalitvintsev now risks being
replaced ahead of the nation co-hosting the Euro 2012 finals,
had started brightly with Yaroslav Rakytskiy rattling the post
in the first minute with keeper Emiliano Viviano well beaten.
Atrem Fedetskiy tested Viviano again 15 minutes later after
running onto an incisive pass from Oleg Gusev.
"We would have controlled the game but for the anarchy in
our penalty area," Kalitvintsev, whose job has been linked in
the media with former Italy coach Marcello Lippi, told
reporters.
He said injuries had kept many players out of the side.
"But it makes no sense to talk of whether they could have
helped. We were as good as our reserves allowed," he said.
Italy, with one foot in the Euro finals after Friday's 1-0
win in Slovenia, took advantage of Ukraine's early attacking
groove to catch the home side on the hop.
American-born Rossi, following a cross from Domenico
Criscito and a blocked attempt from Alberto Aquilani, clipped
the ball into the net.
Ihor Oshchypko scuffed a golden opportunity to level after
Viviano failed to deal with a corner from Gusev.
After Astori was sent off, the Ukrainians pressed again but
then Sebastian Giovinco picked up the ball on the edge of the
area and flicked it to Matri who curled into the far corner.
Italian coach Cesare Prandelli, who rested seven players but
had main centre-back Giorgio Chiellini taken off injured in the
first half, was partially happy with his team.
"I asked my players to play more aggressive football despite
the fact it was a friendly game. It was even more pleasant to
claim victory after we had been reduced to 10 men," he told
reporters.
"I had an opportunity to see a few players in action. I am
not happy with the performance of some players in midfield. They
have to concentrate more in some episodes."