Italy 2 - 1 Moldova
Vieri 71 (I), Gatcan 76 (M), Gilardino 85 (I)
Stadio Via del Mare, Lecce
Christian Vieri and Alberto Gilardino broke their goal droughts against Moldova in Italy's final World Cup qualifier, but Alessandro Del Piero was man of the match.
Italy were already qualified for the World Cup when they completed their Group Five campaign by welcoming Moldova to the Stadio Via del Mare in Lecce.
With this in mind, Marcello Lippi fielded an experimental side with 10 changes from the line-up that beat Slovenia 1-0 last week. Fabio Grosso was the only man to maintain his place, as Vincenzo Iaquinta, Christian Vieri and Alessandro Del Piero played in a trident attack.
The Azzurri had a bright start and Simone Barone cut back a cross for Vieri to slide on to the ball, but he turned wide under pressure from close marking. The Milan centre-forward also nodded a Cristian Zaccardo cross well over.
Iaquinta's cross for Vieri was intercepted at the last moment by Pascenco's fingertips, then the former Inter forward failed to make contact on Grosso's centre by inches.
Italy - and Vieri - thought the deadlock had been broken when Del Piero's free kick was palmed on to the crossbar and ricocheted into the path of Vieri, but the goal was disallowed for a debatable offside flag. Vieri's goal drought continues and he was reduced to hysterical laughter by this latest piece of misfortune.
Morgan De Sanctis was made to work hard in order to keep Italy from going behind, as Covalciuc got round Grosso and his angled drive was pushed away with some difficulty.
Vieri had another chance on Barone's assist only to be closed down, then Pascenco flew to palm a stunning Daniele De Rossi strike out of the top corner from 20 metres.
A lob from the very active Del Piero was off target and in first half stoppages Pascenco spread his body to stop Iaquinta taking full advantage of a defensive error.
Manuele Blasi replaced Daniele Bonera for the second half, but the Juve man took up a midfield position rather than the defensive role he has been experimenting at club level in recent weeks.
Vieri held up the ball for Iaquinta's low half-volley that was smothered by the goalkeeper, while De Sanctis tipped a Rogaciov effort round the post.
On the hour mark there was a great chance, as De Rossi's chipped pass beat the defence to reach Del Piero, but his lob was charged down by some brave goalkeeping. The Juventus star was booked for his clash with Pascenco and the aftermath of that move, as he went to see how his opponent was and the referee - and Moldovan players - assumed he was trying to drag him up from the ground.
Gianluca Zambrotta came on for Grosso, but it took a crucial De Rossi intervention to stop Boret turning in from the edge of the box. Lippi's final substitution saw Alberto Gilardino join his Milan teammate Vieri and Del Piero, as Iaquinta made way.
Vieri finally broke through, though much of the credit goes to Del Piero. The Juve man fought past two challenges on the left flank and his low cross beat the goalkeeper before reaching Vieri for a tap-in from five yards. Tellingly considering his current form, the ex-Inter striker nearly failed to net such an easy chance, as he needed two touches to get it under control.
However, the Azzurri seemed to relax after that and Moldova equalised within five minutes. Boret held up a Covalciuc cross for a fine angled volley from Gatcan that beat De Sanctis at the far corner.
Del Piero was by far Italy's best player on the night and cut back for De Rossi's sliding finish that was inches wide of the upright.
Gilardino was guilty of the worst miss of the night, as his free header on Vieri's cross was horribly wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. He made up for it moments later, however, as the Milan man restored Italy's lead. Gila controlled a deflected Aimo Diana pass and drilled it into the far corner with the outside of his right foot.
Del Piero was churning out assists for his team-mates and Barone failed to make the most of another inspired pass. Not everyone appreciated Del Piero's performance, as after he skipped past four challenges at the by-line, Lascencov started a brief scuffle.
Italy: De Sanctis; Zaccardo, Bonera (Blasi 46), Materazzi, Grosso (Zambrotta 62); Diana, De Rossi, Barone; Iaquinta (Gilardino 67), Vieri, Del Piero
Moldova: Pascenco; Lascencov, Catinsus, Priganiuc, Savinov; Olexic, Boret, Gatcan, Covaliciuc; Dadu, Rogaciov (Miterev 87)
Vieri 71 (I), Gatcan 76 (M), Gilardino 85 (I)
Stadio Via del Mare, Lecce
Christian Vieri and Alberto Gilardino broke their goal droughts against Moldova in Italy's final World Cup qualifier, but Alessandro Del Piero was man of the match.
Italy were already qualified for the World Cup when they completed their Group Five campaign by welcoming Moldova to the Stadio Via del Mare in Lecce.
With this in mind, Marcello Lippi fielded an experimental side with 10 changes from the line-up that beat Slovenia 1-0 last week. Fabio Grosso was the only man to maintain his place, as Vincenzo Iaquinta, Christian Vieri and Alessandro Del Piero played in a trident attack.
The Azzurri had a bright start and Simone Barone cut back a cross for Vieri to slide on to the ball, but he turned wide under pressure from close marking. The Milan centre-forward also nodded a Cristian Zaccardo cross well over.
Iaquinta's cross for Vieri was intercepted at the last moment by Pascenco's fingertips, then the former Inter forward failed to make contact on Grosso's centre by inches.
Italy - and Vieri - thought the deadlock had been broken when Del Piero's free kick was palmed on to the crossbar and ricocheted into the path of Vieri, but the goal was disallowed for a debatable offside flag. Vieri's goal drought continues and he was reduced to hysterical laughter by this latest piece of misfortune.
Morgan De Sanctis was made to work hard in order to keep Italy from going behind, as Covalciuc got round Grosso and his angled drive was pushed away with some difficulty.
Vieri had another chance on Barone's assist only to be closed down, then Pascenco flew to palm a stunning Daniele De Rossi strike out of the top corner from 20 metres.
A lob from the very active Del Piero was off target and in first half stoppages Pascenco spread his body to stop Iaquinta taking full advantage of a defensive error.
Manuele Blasi replaced Daniele Bonera for the second half, but the Juve man took up a midfield position rather than the defensive role he has been experimenting at club level in recent weeks.
Vieri held up the ball for Iaquinta's low half-volley that was smothered by the goalkeeper, while De Sanctis tipped a Rogaciov effort round the post.
On the hour mark there was a great chance, as De Rossi's chipped pass beat the defence to reach Del Piero, but his lob was charged down by some brave goalkeeping. The Juventus star was booked for his clash with Pascenco and the aftermath of that move, as he went to see how his opponent was and the referee - and Moldovan players - assumed he was trying to drag him up from the ground.
Gianluca Zambrotta came on for Grosso, but it took a crucial De Rossi intervention to stop Boret turning in from the edge of the box. Lippi's final substitution saw Alberto Gilardino join his Milan teammate Vieri and Del Piero, as Iaquinta made way.
Vieri finally broke through, though much of the credit goes to Del Piero. The Juve man fought past two challenges on the left flank and his low cross beat the goalkeeper before reaching Vieri for a tap-in from five yards. Tellingly considering his current form, the ex-Inter striker nearly failed to net such an easy chance, as he needed two touches to get it under control.
However, the Azzurri seemed to relax after that and Moldova equalised within five minutes. Boret held up a Covalciuc cross for a fine angled volley from Gatcan that beat De Sanctis at the far corner.
Del Piero was by far Italy's best player on the night and cut back for De Rossi's sliding finish that was inches wide of the upright.
Gilardino was guilty of the worst miss of the night, as his free header on Vieri's cross was horribly wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. He made up for it moments later, however, as the Milan man restored Italy's lead. Gila controlled a deflected Aimo Diana pass and drilled it into the far corner with the outside of his right foot.
Del Piero was churning out assists for his team-mates and Barone failed to make the most of another inspired pass. Not everyone appreciated Del Piero's performance, as after he skipped past four challenges at the by-line, Lascencov started a brief scuffle.
Italy: De Sanctis; Zaccardo, Bonera (Blasi 46), Materazzi, Grosso (Zambrotta 62); Diana, De Rossi, Barone; Iaquinta (Gilardino 67), Vieri, Del Piero
Moldova: Pascenco; Lascencov, Catinsus, Priganiuc, Savinov; Olexic, Boret, Gatcan, Covaliciuc; Dadu, Rogaciov (Miterev 87)
Buy on AliExpress.com
he wouldve got a hat-trick. 2 tall,slow peg-legged strikers upfront. Del Piero makes the difference. Why not let Gilardino get all the playtime instead of Vieri and Iaquinta, since he is the future of Italian football. Lippi should try this when experimenting:
