EURO 2016: Italy get the better of Belgium

A superbly-executed strategy by coach Antonio Conte helped Italy to a deserved 2-0 win over Belgium in their Euro 2016 opener with outstanding goals by Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle on Monday.

At their vintage best defensively, and threatening on the counter-attack, Italy extended their unbeaten competitive run against the Belgians to 44 years having last lost to them in a 1972 European Championship playoff. “The result shows that nothing in football can be taken for granted and we did our talking on the pitch,” a delighted Conte said. 

Although tactically outfoxed, Conte’s opposite number Marc Wilmots — fielding the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku -- defended his talented but disjointed side, which again flattered to deceive on the big stage. Monday’s win put former European champions Italy on top of the section, with Sweden and Ireland having earlier shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, while a Belgium side dripping with talent now have plenty of work ahead to reach the last 16. 

Conte’s bold 3-5-2 formation worked to perfection in the first half, with wing-backs Matteo Darmian and Antonio Candreva proving a handful when on the attack and solid defensively. Usually deployed on the right behind Candreva, Darmian was pushed further upfield on the left and the switch, plus the duo’s tireless running, gave Italy’s midfield room to operate. 

Seemingly on the back foot as a toothless Belgium had more possession, Italy always looked more likely to score and they took the lead against the run of play after a sublime move. Clearly rattled, the Belgians were lucky not to fall further behind a few minutes later when Pelle headed just wide after a fine save by Courtois who palmed away a stinging Candreva shot. For all his hard work in the first half, Belgium captain Hazard could not start and finish everything as he received little support in feeding lone striker Lukaku.