Italy vs England Match Report

Italy 1-1 England

Scorers: Pellè 29 , Townsend 79

Italy: Buffon; Ranocchia, Bonucci, Chiellini (Moretti 73); Darmian (Antonelli 73), Parolo, Valdifiori (Verratti 67), Soriano, Florenzi (Abate 60); Eder (Vazquez 60), Pellè (Immobile 60)

England: Hart; Clyne (Walker 46), Smalling (Carrick 44), Jagielka, Gibbs (Bertrand 87); Henderson (Mason 74), Jones, Delph (Townsend 69); Rooney; Kane, Walcott (Barkley 55)

Report:

In what was a game of two dull halves with teams looking for some sort of magic the game ended in a score all draw. Andros Townsend and Pelle where the scorers for their respective countries.

There was a bit of tension surrounding the game as former Juve coach and now the coach of Italian National Team returned to Turin for the first time since quitting Serie A side. Despite the fears and even death threats, Conte was given a warm welcome by the crowd, though there were many empty seats.

The Azzurri took the lead through Graziano Pellè, who was left unmarked after a corner for his glancing header. Chiellini had skinned Phil Jones down the left to put in a fine cross with his weaker right foot.

England hit the bar with their first chance after 21 minutes, Kane knocking down a Fabian Delph cross for Rooney’s volley into the ground that bounced up and on to the bar.

Roy Hodgson who gambled with the side to give Phil Jones the start in midfield with Michael Carrick on the bench, looked like a decision which would cost the English team the game. But there was a slice of luck when Smalling went injured with Phil Jones restored to his natural position.

As frustrated as the 33-year-old might have been to start on the bench, his impact when coming on was the best way to make his point.

In the second half England’s passing had intent, with Carrick at the heart of things. England looked like they had a bit of life left in them as they had a couple of openings.

Townsend had been summoned from the bench after 70 minutes to replace Fabian Delph. And he didn't take long to make an impact – finding the back of the net.

Italy's failure to clear their lines led to the ball falling to Townsend just outside the box. He let loose with a right foot effort that flew past Buffon into the top corner.

At the final whistle, the game ended as a draw. With both sides having equal number of chances to their name.