Chiellini heads Italy to victory
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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Italy 1-0 Sweden
Italy continued their FIFA World Cup preparations with victory for an experimental lineup via Giorgio Chiellini's first-half header.
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Italy 1-0 Sweden
An experimental Italy side defeated Sweden in Cesena thanks to Giorgio Chiellini's first-half goal.
Headed goal
Having allowed Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta and Andrea Pirlo to return to their clubs following Saturday's draw with the Netherlands, Marcello Lippi gave Davide Biondini and Antonio Candreva their second caps and started with Giampaolo Pazzini up front. That decision proved to be the right one after 28 minutes when the UC Sampdoria striker teed up Chiellini to head the Azzurri in front.
Pazzini thwarted
The world champions created the first chance of the second period through Pazzini, whose shot was blocked by Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson. Erik Hamrén was taking charge of Sweden for the first time following his appointment earlier this month, but his charges were struggling to fashion anything of note and despite several late changes it was Italy who ended 2009 on a high.
