Italy 3 - 0 Northern Ireland

A second string Italy side beat a second string Northern Ireland side in a friendly in Pisa. Lippi played exactly the type of lineup that we had all been looking forward to see. Guiseppe Rossi and Giampaolo Pazzini and Catania's Mascara lead the line up front, with Gattuso, Udinese's D'Agostino and Fiorentina's Montolivo in midfield. In defence Legrottaglie and Grosso combined with Fiorentina's Gamberini and Inter's 18 year old start Davide Santon. Cagliari's Marchetti stood between the posts.

It was a bright start by both sides, with Italy keeping posession and with Ireland giving little away. But Guiseppe Rossi unleashed a cannon of a shot from 2 yards to open the scoring after 19 minutes. Italy should have been going into the break 2-0 up, but only for Johnson to clear a Gamberini header off the line. Italy were rarely troubled and were very solid in midfield with D'Agostino showing why Juventus are courting his signature.

Four changes were made at half time in what was a lively and entertaining encounter. Brighi, Foggia, Palombo and Dossena came on for Grosso, Montolivo, Mascara and Gattuso. It worked to great effect as Italy really began to take control and Northern Ireland rarely got out of their own half. Foggia was at the centre of everything and scored a wonderful goal on 52 minutes. He gathered the ball in midfield, nutmegging casement, and chipped the keeper to score his first azzuri goal.

Pazzini could have made it 3-0 soon after, but Tuffey made an excellent save from the penalty spot. The Pisa crowd didn't have to wait long though, as debutant sergio Pellissier scored a wonderful goal as he turned and volleyed home to the amazement of the Irish defence. It was a good game by both teams who would have enjoyed the experience.