After their promising display against Germany in Bologna on Saturday, the Azzurri returned to winning ways this evening, beating Hungary 2-1 in Cesena. Goals from Barella and Pellegrini meant that Roberto Mancini’s side got the better of Marco Rossi’s team to move top of Group 3 in the Nations League, with England and Germany having played out a draw in the other group match. It was a deserved victory for Italy as Mancini continued to bed in young talent: 18-year-old Gnonto was named in the starting line-up, while Zerbin came on in the second half to become the seventh debutant in the space of three days. Despite Verratti and Jorginho not being there to dictate play, the forward runs of the two mezzali – Barella and Pellegrini – ensured that the Azzurri were always dangerous. This duo provided constant support for a front trio made up of Politano, Raspadori and Gnonto. For a team that has struggled to find the net recently, a goalscoring contribution from midfield like the one we saw tonight is very much welcome.

THE MATCH. Mancini shook things up again, with only Donnarumma – who, after recovering from the injury he picked up against the Germans, wore the captain’s armband for the first time – Bastoni, Cristante, Pellegrini and Politano retaining their places in the team. Almost a year on from his European Championship injury, Spinazzola returned to the starting line-up. The rest of the backline consisted of Calabria at right-back and the centre-back pairing of Gianluca Mancini and Bastoni. Cristante, Barella and Pellegrini were selected in midfield, while Gnonto, who provided an assist on his debut on Saturday, made the cut up front. The youngster was flanked by Politano and Raspadori. Hungary, meanwhile, lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Sallai and Szoboszlai playing behind lone striker Szalai. Rossi’s team were happy to sit back with the aim of striking on the counter, and they had the first chance of the match as Szoboszlai’s eleventh-minute free-kick was blocked by the wall.

As for Italy, they were mainly pushing forward down the left and threatened twice through Gnonto, who first failed to connect with the ball from a promising position in the box and then, after being picked out by Raspadori, saw his shot blocked by the Hungarian defence. In the 21st minute, Mancini rose to meet Politano’s corner but was denied by a fine save from Dibusz. The match wasn’t being played at a particularly high tempo, but it was nevertheless entertaining. With 26 minutes on the clock, Donnarumma did well to keep out an effort from Sallai. Italy then took the lead on the half-hour mark as they breached Hungary’s high line. Cristante played the ball forward for Spinazzola, who rolled it across for Barella. The Inter man then let fly with a powerful right-footed strike that finished in the top corner. It was a great finish and the No.18’s eighth goal for his country. Mancini’s men almost made it 2-0 at the end of the half following a fine move involving Mancini, Raspadori, Pellegrini and Gnonto. Unfortunately, the latter was denied by a last-ditch intervention. However, the second goal did arrive a minute later: Politano escaped down the right flank and pulled the ball back for Pellegrini, who made no mistake and once again found the net following his goal against Germany.

With 15,000 fans at the Manuzzi cheering them on, the Azzurri continued to push forward after the restart, even if Donnarumma was called into action to save Sallai’s close-range attempt. Italy came agonisingly close after 55 minutes as Politano, who was looking lively and combining well with Gnonto and Raspadori, struck the bar. The Azzurri were seemingly well in control, but then Hungary unexpectedly pulled one back: a cross from the newly introduced Fiola was diverted past Donnarumma by the unfortunate Mancini. The other Mancini, Roberto, replaced the excellent Pellegrini with Locatelli, while DiMarco and Belotti also came on for Spinazzola and Politano. Furthermore, Barella made way for Tonali. Most notably, there was room for a debutant: 23-year-old Frosinone striker Alessio Zerbin became the seventh Italy player to win their first cap in the space of three days. In the closing stages, Dibusz saved a shot from Locatelli as Italy comfortably saw the game out. A 2-1 win and plenty of positives.

Mancini’s men still have two Nations League matches to play in the latest round of international fixtures. The Azzurri will soon be packing their bags and heading to Wolverhampton, where, on Saturday 11 June, they’ll come up against England eleven months on from the European Championship final at Wembley. Then, they’ll face Germany in Mönchengladbach three days later. The holidays haven’t begun yet.