Scandal-hit Italy maintain Euro push with Malta thumping
Beleaguered Italy bounced back from a scandal-hit week on Saturday by cruising to a 4-0 win over Malta which maintained second place in Euro 2024 qualifying Group C.
Domenico Berardi's double, Giacomo Bonaventura's first Italy goal and a late strike from Davide Frattesi gave the European champions an expected win against rock-bottom Malta to reclaim the second automatic qualifying spot from Ukraine who beat North Macedonia 2-0 earlier in the day.
Luciano Spalletti's side are level on 10 points with Ukraine and three points behind leaders England ahead of Tuesday's key clash at Wembley where the Azzurri won the last Euro just over two years ago.
"That match is where we will really see how much potential we have," said Spalletti to broadcaster 'RAI'.
Italy will return to the site of their greatest triumph since winning the 2006 World Cup while Ukraine face sorry Malta in Ta' Qali. Malta are yet to register a single point after six matches in the five-team group and on the basis of Saturday's showing are unlikely to put up much resistance against Ukraine.
That means anything but another victory over England will likely leave Italy third ahead of their final two matches in November - North Macedonia in Rome and Ukraine in Leverkusen, although they have a game in hand on both.
"It will definitely be emotional, I have amazing memories from that stadium. We'll go there trying to do what we did today, play our own game and look to win," said Berardi, who netted a penalty in Italy's shoot-out final win over England.
Saturday's stroll in front of over 56,000 fans in Bari came after a difficult few days for the Italy squad, with injuries and a betting scandal hampering Spalletti's preparations for two crucial matches.