Azerbaijan are unlikely to pose Italy much of a problem in their Euro 2016 qualifying clash in Palermo on Friday. The Azzurri will look to pick up where they left off in their last match, having won 2-0 away at Norway. Azerbaijan lost their opening group game 2-1 to Bulgaria, and haven’t won a competitive match since they beat Northern Ireland in Baku almost exactly a year ago.
Italy vs. Azerbaijan live stream: How to watch Euro 2016 qualifying online
Italy are expected to pick up all three points against Azerbaijan on Friday.
Claudio Villa
Azzurri coach Antonio Conte has rewarded the form of a couple of players with their first international call-ups. Young defender Daniele Rugani could make his debut after making a good start to the season with Empoli, while Graziano Pellè‘s red-hot form for Southampton could earn him his first ever international appearance at 29 years of age. Against such a weak opponent, he may take the opportunity to experiment with his starting lineup.
Key player - Marco Verratti (Italy)
Italy’s old midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo is now seemingly being gradually phased out of the national set-up, with the 35-year-old only given the call after Giacomo Bonaventura withdrew through injury. That means the man considered by many to be his natural heir, Marco Verratti, will start having to shoulder more of the creative burden in the centre of midfield. It’ll be fascinating to see how Conte uses him.
Key question - Can Azerbaijan frustrate Italy?
Azerbaijan don’t win many games, but they didn’t lose too many last year either. They earned a very respectable draw away at Israel, held Russia in Baku, and earned a string of other ties against lesser opponents. They’re not exciting, but Berti Vogts has clearly done good work in the defensive department. It’s very unlikely, but not impossible to see them frustrating Italy in Palermo.
Match Date/Time: Friday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo, Italy
TV: ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet regional (Canada), Sky Sports Red Button (U.K.), RAI Uno (Italy), Setanta Sports Eurasia +, Ictimai TV (Azerbaijan)
Online: Watch ESPN (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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