ITALY have hammered the Czech Republic in a Euro 2020 warm-up.
Ciro Immobile slotted home to put Roberto Mancini’s men in front.
Nicolo Barella then added a second in a one-sided clash before Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Berardi netted in the second half.
THAT’S ALL FROM BOLOGNA
Italy increased their undefeated streak to 23 matches with a dominant victory over the Czech Republic at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium.
The Azzurri opened the scoring on 23 minutes when Lorenzo Insigne whipped in a cross from midfield and saw it getting cleared towards Ciro Immobile, whose shot caught a deflection off of Ondrej Celustka.
The hosts doubled their lead just three minutes before half-time when Nicolo Barella drove the ball down that attacking third, with absolutely no one trying to mark him, and his shot from the edge of the box caught another favourable deflection from Jakub Brabec and Jan Boril.
But the Italians didn’t need any more deflections in the second half as they sealed their victory after 66 minutes with Insigne.
The cherry on top came after 73 minutes when Domenico Berardi netted his fifth goal in six international matches
GETTY IMAGES INSIGNE REACTS
Italy star Lorenzo Insigne admits he enjoyed his birthday goal against the Czech Republic.
Insigne told RAI Sport: “I’m a little old man now. I am really happy with the performance of the team, because we did really well and there’s a week to go before the Euros. We must be ready.
“This was a big test, now we must recover our energy and start the competition in the best possible way.
“I feel old! I am happy with the faith the coach and my team-mates put in me. I always try to be at the disposal of the team and play for them.
“The coach created a wonderful team spirit here, he put us all in a condition to give our best and enjoy our football. The results are clear, we’re playing beautiful football.
“It’s too early to say where we could end up [at Euro 2020]. We are aware of our capabilities and that is fundamental. This was a big test and every one of us played well, that’s the most important thing.
“It’ll be emotional also because we’re not used to playing in front of people anymore, even if it’s ‘only’ 16,000, they will make a big difference”
GETTY IMAGES MANCINI REACTS
Italy manager Roberto Mancini is pleased with the result and admits it “really does bode well” for the Azzurri.
Mancini told RAI Sport: “We played well, took the right approach. The Czech Republic are a very good team, but we out-played them and this really does bode well.
“I think we took 10 minutes or so to get going, as we hadn’t seen each other for a long time, but I did hope we’d put in a performance like this.
“We know that this is a young team that has to improve in many ways, but playing the last friendly before the tournament like this can only be positive.
“We are an attack-minded team and have to push forward, then defend when needs be with the qualities we have. Balance is important. We’re together, we’re happy and hopefully this competition will last as long as possible”
GETTY IMAGES
CZECH EURO SQUAD
And here’s who Czech Republic manager Jaroslav Silhavy has called up for Euro 2020.
The Czechs are going to face off against England, Croatia and Scotland in the group stage.
Goalkeepers: Tomas Vaclik, Jiri Pavlenka, Ales Mandous
Defenders: Jan Boril, Jakub Brabec, Vladimir Coufal, Ondrej Celustka, Pavel Kaderabek, Tomas Kalas, Ales Mateju, David Zima
Midfielders: Antonin Barak, Vladimir Darida, Adam Hlozek, Tomas Holes, Jakub Jankto, Alex Kral, Lukas Masopust, Jakub Pesek, Tomas Soucek, Petr Sevcik, Michal Sadilek
Forwards: Michael Krmencik, Tomas Pekhart, Patrik Schick, Matej Vydra
GETTY IMAGES ITALY EURO SQUAD
Let’s look through the players Italy manager Roberto Mancini has called up for Euro 2020.
The Azzurri are scheduled to face Switzerland, Turkey and Wales in the group stage.
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alex Meret, Salvatore Sirigu
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Emerson, Alessandro Florenzi, Leonardo Spinazzola, Rafael Toloi
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella, Bryan Cristante, Jorginho, Manuel Locatelli, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Stefano Sensi, Marco Verratti
Forwards: Andrea Belotti, Domenico Berardi, Federico Bernardeschi, Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Giacomo Raspadori
GETTY IMAGES STATS
Italy dominated 62.6 per cent of possession throughout their international friendly with the Czech Republic.
The Azzurri registered a total of 17 shots, seven of which were on target.
The Czechs, on the other hand, recorded just nine shots, with only one of them being on target.
The referee had quite an easy match to officiate as he didn’t have to show a single card
FT: ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
Italy stretched their undefeated streak to 23 matches with a dominant victory over the Czech Republic at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium.
The Azzurri opened the scoring after 23 minutes when Lorenzo Insigne whipped in a cross from midfield and saw it getting cleared towards Ciro Immobile, whose shot caught a deflection off of Ondrej Celustka.
The hosts doubled their lead just three minutes before half-time when Nicolo Barella drove the ball down midfield with absolutely no one trying to mark him and his shot from the edge of the box caught another favourable deflection from Jakub Brabec and Jan Boril.
But the Italians didn’t need any more deflections in the second half as they sealed their victory on 66 minutes with Insigne.
The cherry on top came after 73 minutes when Domenico Berardi scored his fifth goal in six international matches
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S FULL-TIME IN BOLOGNA!!!!!!
ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
90 Just two more minutes of added time to go.
The Czechs are looking for a late consolation goal
ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
88 Berardi has been in incredible form for Italy in his last six games.
More below:
ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
86 SUBSTITUTION
Italy manager Mancini makes a late change as Florenzi is replaced by Toloi
ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
83 The Czechs are still looking for their rhythm.
However, they can still pose as a risk in the group stage when they meet England
ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
81 SUBSTITUTION
Czech Republic manager Silhavy makes a late change as Sadilek replaces Darida
ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
80 The Czechs haven’t been able to get a shot on target in the second half.
We expected a much more passionate display after a their strong start in the first half
ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
78 SUBSTITUTION
We told you there were more changes coming for Italy.
Mancini introduces Chiesa, who replaces Berardi, and Raspadori, who makes his first ever international appearances as he takes Immobile’s place
ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
76 We’re getting close to full-time and there’s another drinks break.
Expect some more changes from Mancini as he hopes to have a fully fit squad for the Euros
ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
75 Here is one of the reasons why Italy are among the favourites to win Euro 2020.
Dominating in possession, brilliant Catenaccio and quality in midfield
ITALY 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
73 Italy are just having fun now!
Insigne runs the ball down midfield and delivers a lovely pass down the right flank where Berardi is.
The Sassuolo star gets in front of Pavlenka and beats the Czech keeper with a calm finish
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!
ITALY MAKE IT FOUR WITH BERARDI!!!!!!!!!
ITALY 3-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
70 Fun fact:
Today is Insigne’s 30th birthday, what a way to celebrate!
Credit: Reuters ITALY 3-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
68 Meanwhile, Italy manager Mancini has already started resting some players.
Jorginho was obviously tired after a grueling Premier League season and Champions League Final
ITALY 3-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
66 Italy are starting to seal their victory.
Immobile flicks the ball towards Insigne, who is not even marked, and the Napoli star beats Pavlenka from close range
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL
ITALY MAKE IT THREE WITH INSIGNE!!!!!!!!!
ITALY 2-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
64 SUBSTITUTION
Italy manager Mancini makes his first changes in the match.
Christante replaces Jorginho whereas Emerson and Acerbi come on for Chillini and Spinazzolla
ITALY 2-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
62 SUBSTITUTION
Czech Republic manager Silhavy makes another couple of changes as Vydra and Sevcik replace Jankto and Masopust
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
