With 83 days until the Italy National team’s debut at the Euros, their journey continues with a 2-0 win over Ecuador in the second of two friendlies in the USA. After winning the first challenge against Venezuela, decided by a brace from Mateo Retegui, the Azzurri repeated the result against a stronger opponent who is 31st in the FIFA Ranking and who we faced on our last trip to America 19 years ago (1-1 result). At the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, only a few kilometres from New York, Italy was renewed compared to Thursday (11 changes to the starting line-up) but set up the same as against the Vinotinto in a 3-4-2-1. Pellegrini opened the scoring right away with a great goal, the lead was deserved and almost doubled before suffering in the second half when the South Americans brought out their physicality.

Spalletti asked for the level to be raised, hoping not to see the same mistakes as against Venezuela, and the answers he wanted came in a particularly good first 45 minutes. Both the debutant Bellanova and the returning Pellegrini confirmed their good form, whilst the midfield dynamism guaranteed by Barella and Jorginho was at work. Then, the understandable slowing down in the second half, with a fresh-looking Ecuador. Test passed, but the real work will be in June.

THE MATCH. It was a different Italy compared to the friendly clash with Venezuela. Spalletti changed his entire starting XI, fielding again a three-man defensive and deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation that saw Raspadori upfront with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolò Zaniolo behind. Ahead of Vicario, debuting between the sticks, Gianluca Mancini and Inter players Bastoni and Darmian completed the Nerazzurri presence with Dimarco on the left and Barella, beside Jorginho in the centre. The second debutant of the day was Raoul Bellanove, one of the best outside players in the league. Mirror-image set up from the Spaniard Sanchez Bas with an Ecuador side starring Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo. With the experienced Enner Valencia still out, it was up to Plata to sit upfront having scored in the friendly against Guatemala on Thursday, and the youngsters Sarmiento (2002) and Minda (2003).

Playing in the new Adidas home shirt for the first time, Italy bagged a goal with their first chance of the game. Raspadori won a free-kick on the edge of the box, and Dimarco’s shot was blocked before Pellegrini blasted it home on the rebound with a powerful shot. It was a proper rocket from the Roma captain, his sixth goal for the National team. After the false start against Venezuela, this was the right approach to the game. Little more than two minutes later, Dimarco was close to doubling the lead as he headed just wide following the cross from Bellanova. From one winger to another, the story repeated itself moments later when the Granata defender picked out his Nerazzurri teammate on the back post, but the ball was stopped at the last minute by Torres. Italy pushed on and Zaniolo, following a corner, went one-on-one with the debutant keeper, Burrai, who managed to keep his shot out.

The Azzurri pressed well, picking up several balls in the opposition half. In the first half an hour, Bellanova made at least four runs from deep, unaffected by first-timer nerves. But the whole squad deserves appreciation, moving in harmony on the pitch and demonstrating dynamism and good passages of play. Pellegrini and Zaniolo were inspired and trying it all in attack, Raspadori facilitated runs from the two wingers. Ecuador only got away on the break sporadically, Vicario enjoyed a debut without much trouble.

At the start of the second half, Bellanova made way for Di Lorenzo and Italy had the first chance again. Raspadori got his head to a ball from Pellegrini and guided it into the arms of Burrai. In the 51st minute, the Azzurri were in danger for the first time, but Franco shot high from a good position. Ecuador turned up the heat and pressed forward, Sarmiento and Plata troubled the Azzurri backline. Jorginho and Pellegrini went off for Locatelli and Frattesi. And after the first save Vicario had to make on a shot from Plata on the edge of the box, Spalletti sent on Orsolini and Retegui to replace Zaniolo and Raspadori. And it was Orsolini who provided the assist for Barelli in the dying moments to make it 2-0, allowing the Nerazzurri midfielder to celebrate in the captain's armband. The next stop ahead of the Euros will be in Bologna on 4 June for the friendly against Turkey, with the full squad announcement coming three days later. Germany is ever closer.