Azzurri Focus: Georgia 0-2 Italy

Italy picked up three points in their world cup qualifier last night in Georgia thanks to a remarkable scenario in which Milan defender Kaladze scored two own goals.

After their confederation cup debacle, Italy have been looking to restore pride. Lippi again omitted Antonio Cassano, but gave starting line up positions to Marco Marchionni, Angelo Palombo and Domenico Criscito. Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chielini, Pirlo, Camoranesi, Rossi and Iaqunita made up the rest of the positions as Lippi continued to revert back to 4-4-2.

It was pretty even in the early going, with both teams exchanging efforts in Tblisi. Camoranesi had an early chance when he headed wide a Marco Marchionni cross, and Chielini sent a header wide to from a Pirlo free kick. However, it was in the second half where the best of the action took place. Indeed, Gianluigi Buffon confirmed once again that he is nothing but world class after stopping a bullet header from six yards out with just one hand in a quite remarkable piece of goalkeeping. Italy sensed the growing danger, and promptly took the lead in Bizzare circumstances moments later. A strong strike from Sampdoria ace Angelo Palombo was headed into his own net by Milan defender Kaladze as Italy prospered from his misfortune. D'Agostino and Quagliarella were introduced and evidence of their previous links ups at Udinese was fully on display as the pair combined and Quagliarella sent a low drive across the face of goal that just went inches wide. However, moments later somehow Kaladze again managed to put the ball in his own net. Domenico Criscito crossed into the box only for Kaladze to somehow volley it into his own net. Clearly, Kaladze after this did not know where to put himself. The comedy continued in injury time as Quagliarella's diving header hit the inside of the left post, rolled across the face of goal to find Iaquinta who on a tight angle again himself hit the post. They should have scored, but they had the three points anyway. Italy face Bulgaria on Wednesday evening in Italy and if they are victorious they will carry to Ireland a four point advantage for the qualifier in October.