Italy vs. Azerbaijan: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Italy will host Azerbaijan on Friday in their second qualification match for Euro 2016, looking to build on an excellent start that currently has them in top spot in Group H.

The Azzurri convincingly beat Norway 2-0 on the opening matchday, while Azerbaijan fell to Bulgaria 2-1. With plenty of optimism surrounding the squad following Antonio Conte's appointment, another win will be expected on Friday.

Conte made several changes to his squad as the revolution continues for the Azzurri, and with Malta next on the schedule, the Italians should be aiming for back-to-back victories.

Date: Friday, Oct. 10

Time: 7.45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo

TV info and live stream: The match will be broadcast via Sky Sports Red Button (for UK viewers) and ESPN Deportes (for US viewers), with mobile coverage available via the Sky Go app and Watch ESPN.

Preview

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

The Italians are supremely confident after two excellent performances against the Netherlands and Norway (twice winning 2-0), and Azerbaijan are being viewed as nothing but a sparring partner on the way to Euro 2016.

So much in fact that during Tuesday's press conference, not a single reporter asked a question about the team's opposition, per The Associated Press' Daniella Matar:

It speaks volumes to the sense of optimism surrounding the team after the disastrous 2014 World Cup. Conte continues to add new blood to the squad, with Graziano Pelle and Daniele Rugani joining the Azzuri for this next double header.

Serie A News shared these images of the duo in their new gear:

The full squad, via Siaran Bolan Live:

"

Squad Italy #EUROqualifiers vs Azerbaijan pic.twitter.com/OyltC3aUV3

— Siaran Bola Live (@SiaranBolaLive) October 6, 2014"

One notable absentee is Mario Balotelli, whose scoring touch appears to have stayed in Italy when he moved to Liverpool. Marco Verratti's injury sees Andrea Pirlo return to the squad as well, much to the delight of Leonardo Bonucci, via the team's Twitter feed:

Azerbaijan made a solid impression in their 2-1 loss against Bulgaria, coming within three minutes of stealing a point. The team aimed for possession and were well organised on the back, but a lack of creative outlets in midfield saw Azerbaijan fail to put together many significant chances.

Their only goal was a longe-range effort from Dmitri Nazarov, one Vladislav Stoyanov certainly should have saved:

They've never qualified for a single finals tournament, and on Friday, they shouldn't present the Azzurri with too much of a challenge.

Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza are once again expected to lead the attack, finding great success against the Netherlands with long balls over the top of the defence. Azerbaijan look equally susceptible to the long ball, although they are expected to play a more defensive game in Palermo.

The possible inclusion of Pirlo likely means a heavy emphasis on possession for the Azzurri, who will try to break down the defensive walls from the first minute. With a meaningful gap in talent, they should be successful doing so.

Prediction: Italy 2-0 Azerbaijan

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