Palladino sees off Slovenia

A first-half goal by AS Livorno Calcio striker Raffaele Palladino gave Italy a deserved 1-0 win against Slovenia in Vicenza.

Slovenian situation
The Azzurrini were already sure of first place in Group 5, but Slovenia will now have to beat Scotland in their final game on Tuesday and hope that Belarus fail to beat Norway if they are to finish second and qualify for the UEFA Under-21 European Championship play-offs.

Decisive strike
Juventus FC left-back Giorgio Chiellini had already gone close for Italy from Riccardo Montolivo's pass before Palladino volleyed his goal from close range after 17 minutes, connecting with Alessandro Rosina's powerful cross from the right.

Goal disallowed
Five minutes after Italy's goal, Dalibor Stevanovič seemed to have restored parity after beating Italy goalkeeper Gianluca Curci with a curling free-kick from wide on the left but the referee ruled out the effort because it was supposed to be indirect.

Fine save
Montolivo and Gianpaolo Pazzini had good opportunities to double Italy's lead before the break. Vasja Simcič made a fine save from Montolivo's shot from inside the penalty area, while Pazzini was unfortunate to hit his team-mate Palladino with a close-range volley.

Unfortunate block
The game was more balanced in the second half, with both sides creating opportunities to score. Palladino failed to control a pass by Pazzini to waste an easy chance just in front of Simcič's goal, while Stevanovič headed a cross from the left just wide. Second-half substitute Marco Motta also had a goal ruled for offside.