Giorgio Chiellini's header on the stroke of half time has given Italy a 1-0 lead at the break of their Euro 2016 Group H qualifier against Azerbaijan this evening.
Antonio Conte's side had previously seen visiting goalkeeper Kamran Arhayev frustrate them in Palermo during 45 minutes in which they had seven shots on target.
Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio blasted over the crossbar from 10 yards in the early minutes before Leonardo Bonucci's speculative long-range effort was held by Arhayev.
The Azerbaijan stopper kept out both Marchisio and Bonucci again as the half went on, and his best moment came when he denied Ciro Immobile on 22 minutes after a smartly-worked Italy throw-in.
Arhayev's good work was undone by his 44th-minute mistake which allowed Chiellini to put the Azzurri ahead at the interval, as the keeper flapped at a corner which the Juventus defender nodded home.
Italy were 2-0 victors over Norway in their opening game of the campaign, while Azerbaijan lost 2-1 to Bulgaria.
Joe Fish
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