Aquilani helps Azzurri hold off Montenegro
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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Italy 2-1 Montenegro
Two goals from Alberto Aquilani kept the Azzurri three points clear but Montenegro were perhaps unfortunate not to secure a third Group 8 draw.
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Two goals by Alberto Aquilani gave Italy a victory against Montenegro that kept them top of FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 8.
Lippi record
The Azzurri, held 0-0 in Bulgaria on Saturday to drop their first points of the campaign, took the lead in Lecce on eight minutes through Aquilani's opportunistic finish and although Mirko Vučinić swiftly equalised, his AS Roma club-mate struck again before the half-hour mark. Marcello Lippi has now equalled two-time FIFA World Cup winner Vittorio Pozzo's record of 30 consecutive games without defeat as Italy coach, not counting penalty shoot-outs.
Early goals
Italy put the weekend frustration quickly behind them. Simone Pepe found space on the left and crossed for Alberto Gilardino; Montenegro goalkeeper Vukašin Poleksić got his hand to the ball but Aquilani was in place to tap into an empty net. Montenegro reacted well and Gianluca Zambrotta was forced to clear a close-range shot by Elsra Zverotić off the line on 16 minutes. Not long afterwards, though, Vučinić dribbled past Giorgio Chiellini and beat Marco Amelia with a powerful low shot.
Lead restored
Ten minutes later, however, Italy were back in front. Andrea Dossena crossed from the left and Aquilani turned the ball in at the far post with the help of a deflection off Jovan Tanasijević. Vučinić so nearly levelled late in the half but Amelia saved his superb free-kick.
De Rossi relief
Chances continued to come at both ends after the interval. On 51 minutes Gilardino had only Poleksić to beat but the goalkeeper got to his low shot; Vučinić then pounced on a slip by another of his Roma colleagues, Daniele De Rossi, but Amelia rushed out to save, and he also dived to palm Jovetić's volley wide.
Three-point lead
Having nearly given away a goal, De Rossi was denied one at the other end when his header hit the post, and in the 67th minute Jovetić shot wide. Montenegro pressed hard to pick up a third draw from as many matches but Italy held on and stayed three points clear of the Republic of Ireland – the only other team to have won in Group 8. Montenegro welcome Italy on 28 March for both sides' next group games.