Claudio Marchisio put Italy on the board after only nine minutes on Wednesday, but despite the strong start the Azzurri failed to grow into the match and eventually drew with Luxembourg following Maxine Chanot’s late header.
It was a well-worked piece of buildup, and just six minutes later, Balotelli nearly doubled Italy’s advantage when he placed his shot slightly over the crossbar after being set up by the active Antonio Candreva.
Claudio Marchisio had Italy on the board afteronly nine minutes.
Balotelli had his next opportunity on the stroke of the half-hour mark. Marco Verratti, who was the best player on the pitch before his withdrawal in the 54th minute, threaded a delightful pass through to the AC Milan forward, although the final product was once again lacking.
Then Andrea Pirlo came close but faltered—the midfield maestro putting an accurate free-kick on target with two minutes remaining in the opening frame that Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris had to do well to save.
Azzurri boss Cesare Prandelli must have had a few words for his charges at the interval because they came out firing to start the second half.
Maxine Chanot headed home the equaliser with five minutes remaining.
Shortly before the hour-mark Balotelli, following a slalom run through the defense, rang his shot off the crossbar, and as play continued to slow at the Stadio Renato Curi, both managers made several changes to their line-ups.
Prandelli’s substitutions including introducing Antonio Cassano, Alberto Aquilani, Andrea Ranocchia, Lorenzo Insigne, Marco Parolo and Alessio Cerci, but none of them could provide the bit of insurance that Italy would end up needing before the final whistle.
by BR / www.FlagWigs.com
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