Italy vs Lichtenstein 27/03/19

27 March 2019

Two nations that experienced differing fortunes on the First matchday of Euro 2020 qualifiers go head-to-head when Italy (FIFA Rank: #18) welcome Lichtenstein (#181) to the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma.

Encouraged by a comfortable 2-0 triumph over Finland in the opening game of their European Championship qualifying journey, the hosts look to post their third successive win over Lichtenstein in H2Hs. Gli Azzurri had no problems beating notably weaker rivals in both of their previous H2Hs by a considerable +9 goal difference (S9, C0). However, Roberto Mancini’s men have experienced a catastrophic period in terms of efficiency, scoring one goal or less in eight successive outings before outscoring Finland. Mancini still relies on a strong defense that has kept four straight clean sheets in the build-up for this meeting, restricting their opponents to a maximum of one goal per match in four beforehand.

Meanwhile, entering this fixture as big underdogs, the visitors have a little to hope for given the fact they’ve lost all four of their previous road trips, conceding 2+ match goals in each. Furthermore, the Blues-Reds have suffered defeats in all ten of their previous competitive road clashes, with a disastrous -29 goal difference (S4, C29). Unable to keep a clean sheet, Helgi Kolviðsson’s men have conceded over 1.5 goals per game in eight of their last ten races. The only thing that can comfort Kolviðsson is that his players improved their offensive output, bagging exactly one goal per match in all three of their previous competitive away meetings.