Tweet
SB Nation
Oct 12 2012
Armenia Vs. Italy: Final Score 3-1, Italy Not Perfect But Sufficient
By Kirsten Schlewitz on Oct 12, 3:17p
Armenia gave Italy some trouble in Yeravan, but in the end, the
Azzurri managed to collect all three points.
At times, things certainly looked dicey for Italy in Armenia. Andrea
Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci were poor, allowing Armenia to slip
behind the defense. Sebastian Giovinco was unimpressive. Henrik
Mkhitaryan was threatening. It was no surprise, really, that the score
was 1-1 at the halftime whistle. But in the end, Italy dug deep and
pulled off a 3-1 win, placing them alone at the top of Group B.
In other unsurprising news, it was Andrea Pirlo who scored the first
for Italy. As the visitors surged forward, a shot hit the arm of
Armenian defender Hrayr Mkoyan. A rather harsh penalty was given,
which Pirlo took calmly, a slow roller that sent Roman Berezovski the
wrong way.
The equalizer came when Armenia took advantage of a clash of heads
between Christian Maggio and Davit Manoyan. There was no whistle, and
the hosts played on, with Mkhitaryan able to slip in behind Barzagli
and slot his shot into the opposite corner.
Armenia came out for the second half determined to take all three
points, but Gigi Buffon had other ideas. He held off the onslaught for
long enough to allow Italy to get back in front. Pirlo was again
involved, curling in a spectacular cross. Daniele De Rossi was waiting
in the box, his diving header hitting the crossbar and dropping in.
Just in case Armenia had any ideas about coming back to collect a
point, Pablo Osvaldo put those thoughts to rest with a header off Roma
teammate De Rossi's free kick. It may not have been flawless from the
azzurri, but it's enough to keep them on top and advancing toward
Brazil.
http://www.sbnation.com/2014-world-cup-qualifying/2012/10/12/3494518/armenia-vs-italy-2012-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-match-report
Oct 12 2012
Armenia Vs. Italy: Final Score 3-1, Italy Not Perfect But Sufficient
By Kirsten Schlewitz on Oct 12, 3:17p
Armenia gave Italy some trouble in Yeravan, but in the end, the
Azzurri managed to collect all three points.
At times, things certainly looked dicey for Italy in Armenia. Andrea
Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci were poor, allowing Armenia to slip
behind the defense. Sebastian Giovinco was unimpressive. Henrik
Mkhitaryan was threatening. It was no surprise, really, that the score
was 1-1 at the halftime whistle. But in the end, Italy dug deep and
pulled off a 3-1 win, placing them alone at the top of Group B.
In other unsurprising news, it was Andrea Pirlo who scored the first
for Italy. As the visitors surged forward, a shot hit the arm of
Armenian defender Hrayr Mkoyan. A rather harsh penalty was given,
which Pirlo took calmly, a slow roller that sent Roman Berezovski the
wrong way.
The equalizer came when Armenia took advantage of a clash of heads
between Christian Maggio and Davit Manoyan. There was no whistle, and
the hosts played on, with Mkhitaryan able to slip in behind Barzagli
and slot his shot into the opposite corner.
Armenia came out for the second half determined to take all three
points, but Gigi Buffon had other ideas. He held off the onslaught for
long enough to allow Italy to get back in front. Pirlo was again
involved, curling in a spectacular cross. Daniele De Rossi was waiting
in the box, his diving header hitting the crossbar and dropping in.
Just in case Armenia had any ideas about coming back to collect a
point, Pablo Osvaldo put those thoughts to rest with a header off Roma
teammate De Rossi's free kick. It may not have been flawless from the
azzurri, but it's enough to keep them on top and advancing toward
Brazil.
http://www.sbnation.com/2014-world-cup-qualifying/2012/10/12/3494518/armenia-vs-italy-2012-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-match-report