How Italy's Win Against Norway Shows That They're Group Favorites
Italy's 2-0 win away to Norway shows that they're ready to topple their Euro 2016 qualification group under recently hired coach Antonio Conte.
The Azzurri started their reign under their new coach with a 2-0 win in a friendly against the Netherlands, with the side looking more reinvigorated after the tactical switch at the helm.
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The fact that Conte's side has looked so compact and organized despite the entire change at the top should be enough to instill doubt into its opponents. Any questions about Italy's desire at the 2014 World Cup have been erased by the new coach conveying his tenacity in the players.
Group H sees Italy face Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and Malta. With Italy fully expected to be the group favorites, it'll be a battle for the second spot in the group to claim a place in the next round of European tournament action.
Against Norway, Simone Zaza repaid Conte's confidence in him by striking early in the 16th minute. Even though his shot took a deflection on Havard Nordtveit, he was still in a prime position and reinforced his argument to be considered as one of Italy's starting strikers.
The dangerous opportunities in the first half mostly came from the forward runs of both wing-backs, whose overlapping runs made it difficult for Norway's back line to keep track.
Conte's new Italy have solidity at the back, with aggressiveness in the pressing and plenty of intensity with the ball. The game is very direct and challenges the opposition's defence continuously throughout the course of the match.
It is essentially a mirror image of the Juventus side Conte was in charge of that went on a 49-match undefeated streak. The defence gives up little, and the midfield is overloaded to stifle the opposition's attempt to create a possession game.
Norway played slightly less defensively than was previously expected even though they were in front of their fans in Oslo. When they did venture out offensively, they gave Italy space to counter and create dangerous opportunities.
With a new coach in charge of Italy, there were thoughts that there would be initial rust as the players formed a new chemistry under a different system. However, a closer look will show that half the team is familiar with Conte's system from Juventus, and the new tactics fit perfectly.
It's a worrying sign for Italy's opposition in the group. Even though Croatia will be the toughest opponent, they're also coming off a poor World Cup campaign and have many questions about how to fully exploit their system under the coaching of the Kovac brothers.
Despite not having some of their most influential players, such as Andrea Pirlo, Antonio Conte showed that this Italy team has plenty of hunger and can succeed in perilous territory with a makeshift line-up using plenty of players who are inexperienced at the highest level.
