Italy 1, Luxembourg 1: Azzurri concede late goal to extend winless streak

Cue the panic.

Italy were held to a 1-1 draw by minnows Luxembourg on Wednesday in Perugia, and the concern after the match was palpable, with many pointing to the fact that the Azzurri haven't tasted victory since a win over the Czech Republic back in September - a run that now stands at seven matches.

'Italy won't be able to score goals,' they cried. 'They are going to crash out in the group stage,' they claimed.

They, being everyone but Italian supporters.

Perennial slow starters that always seem to struggle in meaningless matches against lesser opponents, this play has been acted out many times before. That's not to say there aren't areas where Italy must improve ahead of the game against England on June 14, but perhaps we can scale back to doom and gloom that has been prevalent in the aftermath of today's contest.

Agreed? Good. Let's get to it, then.

The Goals

GOAL! Claudio Marchisio (Italy), 9th min. We told you about his propensity to make perfectly timed runs into the box from deep positions. Didn't we tell you? After the Juventus man hit Mario Balotelli with a perfect ball in stride, he darted into the penalty area and got his head onto the end of a great cross from the AC Milan striker. Two players. Two passes. One goal.

GOAL! Maxime Chanot (Luxembourg), 85th min. Another header, this time from a corner. The defender swoops in at the near post, leaving Gianluigi Buffon with no chance in the Italy goal. Alberto Aquilani demonstrates why he is not known for his defensive capabilities.

Man of the Match

Despite not getting on the score sheet, the AC Milan striker was a handful today. This, as all the notes that follow, comes with the caveat that it was only Luxembourg, but nonetheless, Balotelli put in a good shift before being substituted late in the contest.

His cross for Marchisio's opening goal was nothing short of brilliant. His deft touch was on display multiple times, and his hold up play was very impressive. Without a strike partner beside him, it was imperative that the powerful attacker slow down play and allow his teammates to join him up the pitch, which he did.

His cross to set up Antonio Candreva's header (which hit the crossbar) was preceded by some fantastic skill.

He would have liked to find the net, particularly on a chance that saw him strike the crossbar in the second half, but his performance was the pick of the bunch amongst a team of players that didn't necessarily stand out.

Honorable Mention: Claudio Marchisio, Mattia De Sciglio 

The Takeaway

Italy have some work to do, for sure, but Cesare Prandelli has options that make his squad a dangerous prospect for any team at the tournament.

Opening the match in a 4-3-2-1 formation, the manager used five substitutions that bred a pair of system changes. Antonio Cassano's introduction in the second half saw the side shift to a 4-3-1-2, while the late cameo for both Lorenzo Insigne and Alessio Cerci allowed the Azzurri to adopt a 4-3-3 shape.

Prevailing thought says Prandelli needs to focus in on one system and perfect that, rather than having a team that is unsure of its identity.

That may be true, but what happens when that tried-and-true system fails, and there is no backup plan?

Ask Bayern Munich. 

The Nutshell

Winning friendlies is great. 

It's also meaningless - unless you believe that they can foster team unity and boost morale, in which case you are already beyond saving.

You don't get trophies for friendlies.

Stray Observations

• Marchisio, asked to play in an advanced role behind Balotelli, was arguably the best player on the pitch. His goal was vintage Marchisio, making a run into the penalty area from a deep position before finding the net. He was able to exploit the gap between the Luxembourg midfield and defense, exactly what is required of someone in that position. 
• His peer in that role, Antonio Candreva, was not nearly as successful.
• The bandied about duo of Marco Verratti and Andrea Pirlo in the same midfield was not the redundant disaster some thought it would be.
• Mattia De Sciglio, at just 21 years of age, is the best fullback the country has right now. The AC Milan defender made a number of powerful runs down the left flank, particularly early on in the game.
• That said, Italy looked vulnerable in wide areas inside their own half. With the decision to field Pirlo, Verratti, Daniele De Rossi and Marchisio together - and ask Candreva to often tuck inside - the midfield became congested and the team lacked width.
• It was great to see a full stadium in Italy. It's a rarity at the club level.
• Maxime Chanot's goal celebration showed just how much more the result meant to Luxembourg than to their hosts. The  defender ripped his shirt off before running into the corner and being joined by all of his teammates.