Italy back in business
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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Italy 2-0 Luxembourg
The Azzurrini made amends for Friday's 2-1 defeat against Wales and earned their first points in Group 3 with victory in Novara.
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Italy made amends for Friday's 2-1 defeat against Wales and earned their first points in Group 3 in qualifying for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship by beating Luxembourg 2-0 in Novara.
Poli opener
The goals came in added time at the end of each half with the Azzurrini taking the lead on the stroke of half-time when Andrea Ranocchia headed a cross by Mattia Mustacchio towards Andrea Poli and the UC Sampdoria midfielder beat Luxembourg goalkeeper Lex Menster from close range. Alberto Paloschi had a couple of good opportunities in the first half and he missed another early in the second, shooting wide with only Menster to beat.
Balotelli strike
Luxembourg came close to equalising in the 70th minute when Christophe Scholer fired over after connecting with Naby Twimumu's cross. Italy responded with a dangerous header by defender Lorenzo Ariaudo and a number of long-range shots by Mario Balotelli, who eventually made it two in added time when he turned in Guido Marilungo's cross from the right on the break.