Italy learn little from Belgian triumph

Italy head to Euro 2008 in confident mood but learned little from their 3-1 win over Belgium in a friendly on Friday.

Italy head to Euro 2008 in confident mood but learned little from their 3-1 win over Belgium in a friendly on Friday.

Coach Roberto Donadoni tried to take positives from the game but by organising just one friendly in the run-up to the tournament, he has reduced his options for experimentation.

Against Belgium, who failed to qualify for next month’s tournament, Donadoni went for his favoured three-pronged attack in the first half. In the second he tried out a 4-3-1-2 with Alessandro del Piero and Luca Toni playing in front of the recalled Antonio Cassano, whose appearance was cheered by a spartan Florence crowd.

Italy travel to their base outside Vienna on Monday with their first match against the Netherlands on June 9 in Berne.

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