Italy Have This Qualification Thing Sorted

Published on 10-Oct-2015 by srijan213

Soccer    Soccer Daily Update

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Italy Have This Qualification Thing Sorted

The Italians know how to crash a party.

They've now gone an amazing 49 games -- and counting -- without a loss in World Cup and Euro Cup qualifications.

Their latest came in a proper David vs Goliath match, with the only difference being that David lost. Italy defeated Azerbaijan, 3-1, to keep their impressive run alive.

It was a mismatch on paper and on the pitch, as well, and Italy was ruthless. Quick, too, with Éder finding twine in the 11th minute:

That defense is as slow as a snail.

The problem with scoring an early goal, though, can be resting on one's laurels prematurely:

What are the defenders doing? Trying to hit the stars for some luck?

Whatever it was, Dimitrij Nazarov didn't mind.

But Azerbaijan's slow-footed backs were never in danger of protecting a point, which was fine with Stephan El Shaarawy:

This is what they call walking right past your opponent.

Matteo Darmian has been impressive for Manchester United and was for his country, as well:

United needed this more against Arsenal than Italy needed it here.

Click on a photo to enlarge.