Italian national team defeated Host Armenia with a score of 3-1 in the match continued Group J European Cup 2020 qualification, at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium. Gli Azzurri’s goals were scored by Andrea Belotti (minute 28), Lorenzo Pelegrini (minute 78) and an own goal by Armenian goalkeeper Ayrapetyan (minute 80). While the goals scored by Karapetyan (11 minutes).
Come to the headquarters of Armenia, Gli Azzurri brings full points to stay on the winning track. Italy is still firmly at the top of Group J in the EURO 2020 Classification with 12 points, the result of 4 matches. While Armenia still sits at number 3 with 6 points. Armenia’s chances of qualifying are still wide open. Although they have never lost, Mancini is still wary of the rise of Armenia. Mancini said: “We cannot think that we will enter an easy game, because there is no such thing. Armenia’s greatest strength is in attack, because they have four excellent strikers with different characteristics, so that’s where we have to be vigilant. ” Italy with its young squad cannot play the injured Chiellini. Allesio Romagnoli as successor Chiellini is expected to play nicely to maintain defense together with Leonardo Bonucci. Mancini was also credited with Stefano Sensi’s impressive performance in his first two matches with Internazionale Milano in the Serie A event. Sensi was favored to appear even as a substitute.
First Half
The match had just begun, Armenia had shocked Donnarumma through a Karapetyan volley on 4 minutes, the result of Mkhitaryan’s pass. Luckily his shot was weak and did not endanger the goalkeeper Gli Azzurri. Minute 7, Armenia again got a chance through a flat kick Tigran Barseghyan, but again is still too weak. In the first 10 minutes, Armenia practically managed to put pressure on Italy and controlled the game. Armenia finally excelled quickly through a goal in the 11th minute Karapetyan. Starting from a quick counterattack, Tigran Barseghyan provided a beautiful assist that was completed well by Karapetyan. Score 1-0 for Armenia.
Gli Azzurri’s first chance came from Romagnoli’s header in the 14th minute, but the ball was still sideways on the right side of the Armenian goal. 23 minutes Bernadeschi gets a golden opportunity in the penalty box. Unfortunately his close-range shot can still be pushed over by Ayrapetyan. Italy finally managed to equalize through Andrea Belotti’s goal in the 28th minute, thanks to an assert from Emerson. A minute later, Bernadeschi almost put Italy ahead, but his curling shot hit the crossbar of Armenia. Near the end of the first half, Italy turned to dominate the game. A disaster for Armenia, their first goalscorer Karapetyan received a second yellow card after elbowing Bonucci in the first half Injury Time. Practically, Armenia now plays with 10 people. Up to 45 + 3 minutes of added time, no additional goals are created. 1-1 score lasted until the interval.
Second Half
Against 10 Armenian players in the second half, Italy immediately dominated and controlled the game. Armenia practically began to defend and only occasionally counterattacked using the speed of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and K. Hovhannisyan. 61 minutes, Italy enter Lorenzo Pelegrini replaces Federico Chiesa, but there have been no significant changes. Italy finally turned ahead in the 78th minute. Pelegrini’s header after receiving a crossing pass from Bonucci glided smoothly into the goal of Armenia. 2-1 for Italy’s superiority. 2 minutes later, Belotti created a goal which was later recognized as an own goal by goalkeeper Ayrapetyan. Italy 3-1 ahead of Armenia. Until the final whistle sounds no more additional goals are created. Final score 3-1 for the Italian national team victory. For this result, GLI Azzurri has collected 15 points from 5 matches and sat comfortably at the top of the Gruf J standings EURO 2020 Qualification. Furthermore, Italy will travel to the Finland headquarters on 9 September 2019.
Starting Line Up:
Armenia: Aram Ayrapetyan (GK), H. Hambartdzumyan, Andre Calisir, V. Haroyan, K. Hovhannisyan, Karlen Mkrtchyan, Grigoryan, Tigran Barseghyan, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Gevorg Ghazaryan, Alexander Karapetyan.
Coach: Armen Gyulbudaghyants.
Italy: Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK), A. Florenzi, Leonardo Bonucci, Allesio Romagnoli, Emerson Palmieri, Verratti, Jorginho, Nicolo Barella, Federico Bernardeschi, Andrea Belotti, Federico Chiesa.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Venue: Republican Stadium – Vazgen Sargsyan
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
ASL
