Roberto Mancini’s men took on San Marino in a friendly fixture days before the start of the 2020 UEFA Euro. The head coach named a second-string side largely but one which, nonetheless, thrashed the minnows 7-0.
San Marino kept Italy at bay until the 30th minute of the match. The Azzurri were denied openings time and again during the early stages of the match but eventually found the breakthrough just a minute past the half-hour mark. Juventus’ Bernardeschi opened the scoring for Mancini’s side from a well-hit shot just outside the box. Centre-back Gian Marco Ferrari doubled their lead three minutes later, as he volleyed the ball in the back of the net after a poor punch by the goalkeeper.
The Azzurri went into the break with a two-goal lead. However, the floodgates were flung open in the second half, as the Euro contenders scored five unanswered goals. Matteo Politano scored the first of his two goals in the 49th minute before Belotti made it four-nil to Italy. A twelve-minute blitz late into the match saw Mancini’s men score three more goals. Politano got his second of the night, sandwiched in between a Pessina brace. By the time the referee blew his whistle, the scoreline read 7-0 in favor of Italy.
Italy will face opposition far tougher than San Marino over the next month and a half. Their next friendly pits them against the Czech Republic who have also qualified for the Euro finals. The Azzurri will play their opening match of the competition shortly after against Turkey, before facing Switzerland – and later – Wales. Mancini’s men are hoping to go deeper into the competition this time around, after a penalty shootout elimination in the quarterfinals of the previous edition.
