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March 25, 2021 Start with victory for Italy in group C of qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar.

Parma's 2-0 win over Northern Ireland leaves good feelings in the first half and a bit of bewilderment in the second half, confused and with too many risks of conceding a goal.

In the other group match, Switzerland won 3-1 in Bulgaria.

And in Sofia the Azzurri will be on stage on Sunday, in the second game.



At the 'Tardini' defense as widely announced, Florenzi-Bonucci-Chiellini-Emerson.

In midfield Mancini spares Barella (who arrived only Wednesday in Coverciano) and relies on Pellegrini, Locatelli and Verratti.

Among the three in front, Berardi is preferred to Chiesa on the right, Immobile in the center, Insigne on the left.



The Northern Irish start with determination and apprehend the blue back pack, still looking for the right distances.

After about ten minutes you begin to see Italy.

Launch of Florenzi for Immobile, big stop in the heart of the area, strangled conclusion.

Shortly after (14 '), Florenzi always sets in motion Berardi who starts on the right and converges in the area, having reached the edge of the small area he strikes Peacock-Farrell with a left under the crossbar.

The Northern Irish central players suffer from the movements of Immobile, who receives an invitation from Berardi but is closed very well by the goalkeeper.

Still Berardi in evidence, a great cross to cut the area, Emerson arrives who puts his head to the side.

The blues administer with excellent ownership.

At 39 'the doubling even comes with a quick reversal in front: in midfield Insigne serves the run of Immobile who enters the area and beats a not flawless Peacock-Farrell with a left-handed low shot.

The Lazio center forward had not scored in blue since November 2019 (against Armenia).

And on 2-0 we arrive at the interval.



The start of recovery was sparkling.

You see the guests with Whyte's shot on the outside of the net (Donnarumma controls).

On the other front, a close-up header from Immobile who does not frame the mirror.

A lightness of Locatelli in the back passage creates a double danger: Donnarumma rejects from the foot face to face with Whyte, on the continuation of the action he is well placed on the conclusion of Smith.

The blue midfield lacks concentration, Mancini calls the entry of Barella.

But the team still seems to be in trouble.

Donnarumma pushes away with a good reflex a cross made treacherous by a deviation, while the Northern Irish take courage.

On a lost ball on the right, Dallas runs on the wing and serves Saville, Bonucci waits for him and blows him the ball with the right time avoiding big troubles.

It's up to Spinazzola and Chiesa (for Emerson and Berardi) and then to Pessina and Grifo (for Locatelli and Insigne).

But Italy remains in a state of confusion.

Incredible mistake between Donnarumma and Verratti, pressed, the opponents win the ball in the area and place McNair with a sure shot with the door wide open, the midfielder makes a mistake with a grotesque conclusion over the crossbar.

Finally we see a blue reaction, with Spinazzola's 'tear' that stretches towards Immobile, Peacock-Farrell makes him widen and forces him to shoot on the bottom.

Same interpreters, but this time it is the striker who frees the full-back, Spinazzola hits badly and sends to the side.