Italians strut their stuff

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Italy’s Alberto Gilardino tries to score past San Marino’s Aldo—AP

An experimental Italy side outclassed San Marino 4-0 three days before coach Cesare Prandelli trims his squad for the double challenge of a World Cup qualifier and next month’s Confederations Cup.

In a largely one-sided game at Bologna’s Stadio Dall’Ara, Andrea Poli, Alberto Gilardino, Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Aquilani were all on target as Prandelli ran the rule over his final, 23-man travelling party to be named on Monday.
Italy face the Czech Republic away on June 7 and then travel to Brazil for the Confederations Cup a week later and Prandelli said he was happy with the performance.
“I wanted to look over a few things tonight, and I’m satisfied,” he said.
“We were still lacking in a few departments but, physically, we looked in good shape. I liked the spirit and determination of the players.”
Prandelli would not give any hint as to the players he would be cutting from the squad. “I will have to make decisions but all that will be done in the coming days.”
Prandelli’s starting XI looked nothing like the sides he has sent out in various tactical formations in previous fixtures this season.
Employing a 4-3-3, the coach handed a rare start to Bologna’s Alessandro Diamanti, who was flanked by Bologna club-mate Alberto Gilardino and Giacomo Bonaventura on what was the Atalanta striker’s debut.
It meant no start for Mario Balotelli or Stephan El Shaarawy, however given their domination throughout it seemed Prandelli, on this occasion, could do without the AC Milan stars.
Only seven minutes in, Bonaventura almost handed Italy the lead when he got on the end of a knock down following a long ball from Pirlo, only to see the visitors’ goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini pull off a fine one-handed save.
Midfielder Christian Maggio had the ball in the net but was ruled offside and then a well-struck, angled drive from Diamanti was on target but punched out by an alert Simoncini.
Gilardino made his plea for a place in the squad with a smart first-time shot from a long midfield ball just before the half hour.
But it was Poli who stole the show moments later, the Sampdoria midfielder pouncing on a loose ball and riding a sliding tackle before rifling the ball past Simoncini to score his first goal for Italy.