A flying start for Italy, who against Malta, did not struggle to achieve their first victory in this European Championship. 4-0 was the final result against the hosts who, apart from the first 15' of the game during which they held the field well, then opposed a timid defence and few attempts in response. Italy was in full flow, forcing the Maltese into a defensive position, and they were unable to contain the pressing Azzurri manoeuvre, so much so that they had to resort to strong-arm tactics, resulting in four penalties. The match was therefore downhill for Bollini's boys, who ended the first half with a two-goal lead, both on penalties scored by N'Dour and Esposito, and which could have been three if D'Andrea had not missed his chance from the eleven metres. The third goal at the start of the second half marked D'Andrea's redemption, who, with his left foot and thanks to a deflection, this time did not miss. A landing in the area of the substitute Turco, was the final episode: the penalty kick scored by Vignato as time expired, brought the goal tally to four of Italy's deserved victory.

The match. Bollini fielded a 4-3-3 with the defensive line formed by Kayode, Della valle, Regonesi and Missori; the midfield, Lipani, Amatucci, N'Dour; the attacking trio formed by D'Andrea, Esposito and Koleosho. Mendez responded with a 4-2-2. After a mixed start, the Azzurrini took control of the game: ball possession and playing a high line while the Maltese only played defensively trying, when possible, some timid counters that had no effect. Italy were immediately dangerous in the 3rd minute with Koleosho who, on the left flank, skipped past two opponents and sent it hard into the centre of the box, the ball reached Amatucci who put it just wide. The Azzurri continued to attack and, in the 18th minute, the action started from the right, from the feet of D'Andrea who served N'Dour, his shot was prompt but, with the goalkeeper beaten, Caruana denied it on the line. D'Andrea again sent a cross a minute later for the head of Lipani and the ball was stopped with Bridgam's arm: penalty kick. From the eleven metres N'Dour beat Sacco with a strong strike that went in at the far post. The Azzurrini were not satiated and in the 25th minute, the omnipresent N'Dour hit the post with a right-footed shot. Italy were always ahead and this time it was captain Miccalef who irregularly stopped Esposito who had entered the area on the right. The Israeli Frid had no doubts and awarded the penalty; it was awarded directly to the Inter striker who did not forgive from the penalty spot. A poor performance, the Maltese captain was at it again in the 40th minute when he again brought down Esposito in the box from the left: penalty and red card for Miccalef but this time it didn't go in: Luca D'Andrea came to the penalty spot and his left, strong, went high over the crossbar.

Bollini's lads went into the break with a two goal advantage and, as soon as they returned to the pitch, they scored the third goal: a free-kick just outside the Maltese area was taken by N'Dour for D'Andrea to redeem himself. He moved to the centre of the box and exploded his left-footed shot, deflected by a defender, into the right-hand corner, unreachable for Sacco. In stoppage time, the fourth goal also arrived, again on a penalty kick caused by Turco landing in the box: the specialist Vignato took charge and did not miss.

"A well-deserved victory," said Bolllini at the end of the match, "even if in the first 15 minutes we suffered a bit from Malta's pressure, who held the field very well. The boys then entered the game and allowed their opponents very little. The main thing now is to try to recover the best possible physical condition, which, due to the various commitments the boys have had, is still not too uniform, I am very happy with the approach and temperament of my players, considering that this was the first match after a long time that they had not played together".

The next opponent, of a very different calibre, will be Portugal (Thursday 6 July, live coverage by Rai Sport), who were victorious today against Poland with goals from Bras and Hugo Felix, Joao's younger brother.

Malta 0-4 Italy

Goalscorers: N’Dour (P) 19’, Esposito (P) 32’, D’Andrea 47’, Vignato (P) 93’

MALTA (4-4-2) : Sacco; Borg A., Micallef (C), Xerri, Ellul (71' Hili); Scicluna D. (85' Borg B.), Vassallo [C], Caruana (59' Letherby), Scicluna L.; Tuma (59' Cross), Bridgman (46' Viviani).
Subs. Camilleri (GK), Buhagiar, Farrugia, Gatt. Coach. Tozé Mendes.

ITALY (4-3-3) : Mastrantonio; Kayode, Dellavalle L., Regonesi (85' Dellavalle A.), Missori (C); Lipani (76' Pisilli), Amatucci, Ndour; D'Andrea (64' Vignato), Esposito (76' Turco), Koleosho (76' Hasa).
Subs. Palmisani (GK), Bozzolan. Coach. Bollini.

Referee, Yigal Frid (ISR); Assistants, Babayoff (ISR) and  Sevcenco (LVA); 4th official Nuza (KOS)

Bookings: Regonesi

Red cards: Micallef

Group A Schedule and standings

Monday 3 July

Poland 0-2 Portugal
Malta 0-4 ITALY

Standings. Italy and Portugal 3 pt, Malta, Poland 0

Thursday 6 July
Portugal vs ITALY, 18:00 CEST, Centenary Stadium, Ta'Qali, live on Rai Sport
Malta vs. Poland, 21:15 CEST, Centenary Stadium, Ta'Qali

Sunday 9 July
ITALY vs. Portugal,18:00 CEST, National Stadium, Ta'Qali, live on Rai Sport
Portugal vs. Malta, 18:00 CEST, Gozo Stadium, Xewkija.

(Top two qualify for the semi-finals)

Semi-finals

Thursday 13 July
18:00 CEST, Tony Bezzina Stadium, Paola
21:00 CEST, National Stadium, Ta'Qali

Final

Sunday 16 July
21:00 CEST, National Stadium, Ta'Qali

Groups

Gruppo A: Malta, Portugal, Poland and ITALY

Group B: Iceland, Greece, Norway and Spain

Trophies

(Euros won)

Spain (8), France (3), England (2), Italy, Portugal and Ukraine (1).