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Italy began their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma. Domenico Berardi and Ciro Immobile found the net for the Azzurri as they ran out comfortable winners against the visitors.
Northern Ireland had an energetic start to the game, but Italy swiftly dampened their enthusiasm with a goal in the 14th minute. Domenico Berardi ran on to Alessandro Florenzi's chip down the line before hammering the ball into the net from a tight angle.
The Sassuolo talisman continued to create chances aplenty as Italy dominated the rest of the half. Ciro Immobile made it 2-0 in the 39th minute after his fierce strike at the end of a counter-attack pierced Bailey Peacock-Farrell at his near post once again.
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Italy nearly undid their good work ten minutes into the second half, as Manuel Locatelli's under-hit backpass forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to make a few excellent saves.
The Azzurri managed to kill the game off as the half progressed, although their British visitors spurned a great chance to score in the final minutes. Italy, nevertheless, held out for a 2-0 win as they began their race to Qatar with aplomb.
On that note, let's have a look at the five major talking points from the game:
#1 Domenico Berardi repays Roberto Mancini's faith
Domenico Berardi came into this game in fine goal-scoring form, netting twice in Sassuolo's 2-3 loss to Hellas Verona.
It was no surprise then that the 26-year-old started the match for Roberto Mancini's Italy. Mancini has stuck with Berardi even when he hasn't been amongst the goals, which has earned the former a fair bit of criticism.
However, Berardi has shown his manager that he's a player to rely upon. Apart from an excellently-taken goal, Berardi was Italy's best creative outlet on the night. He sent in multiple inswinging deliveries from the right wing that caused havoc in the Northern Irish defence.
Berardi was somewhat quiet in the second half as he tended to go missing at times. If Mancini keeps him motivated and in form, though, he could be key to Italy's chances of reaching Qatar.
#2 Northern Ireland punch above their weight against Italy
Northern Ireland are hardly the biggest of names in Europe, let alone world football, unlike their opponents on the night.
Yet, Ian Baraclough's men didn't exactly roll out the carpet for Italy. Josh Magennis and Gavin Whyte, who lead the line for League 1 side Hull City, were full of running and needed Italy to be on their toes.
Baraclough, who does have Premier League quality in defence, with Stuart Dallas, Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart, played out a second half where they stood firm against Italy's attack.
Shayne Lafery showed plenty of promise in attack after he came on, fashioning a couple of half-chances for his teammates. While Italy are clear favourites in the group, Northern Ireland could definitely go toe-to-toe against the likes of Switzerland and Bulgaria.
#3 Counter-attacks reign supreme as Italy change things up
Roberto Mancini's Italy reached the UEFA Nations League semi-finals on the back of a possession-based style of play. While they did execute that familiar gameplan which relies on quick, one-touch football among their front three, the Azzurri displayed other qualities against Northern Ireland on the night.
Both Italy's goals came from the simplest of counter-attacks.
The first, a cheeky lob over an overcommitted Northern Irish defence that allowed Berardi to run uncontested into the box and score. The second was simplicity itself - a pass out from the back to Lorenzo Insigne in the centre-circle, who sent Ciro Immobile scampering down the left channel to score.
It was a clever tactical switch from Mancini, who took advantage of Stuart Dallas and Michael Smith bombing up the wings instead of defending.
The Azzurri will no doubt face tougher opposition, but knowing they can be devastating on the counter-attack when the need be, ought to stand them in good stead.
#4 Leonardo Bonucci celebrates his milestone in style
Decked out in special boots to celebrate his 100th appearance for the Azzurri, Leonardo Bonucci seemed determined right from the off to ensure his side did not concede on the night.
While Bonucci may not have had the best of times alongside Giorgio Chiellini for Juventus, the duo looked imperious against Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland had plenty of energy to trouble the ageing legs in the Italian defence. But Bonucci and Chiellini fought hard, kept the ball well and passed it intelligently out of defence.
Bonucci also made a goal-denying block in the final stages of the game to ensure he celebrated his 100th game for Italy without his team conceding.
Manuel Locatelli also shielded his defensive backline well, intercepting the ball and putting in plenty of tackles as the night progressed.
Roberto Mancini may have other options at the heart of his defence, but he will be glad to know that his experienced stalwarts have lost none of their defensive nous.
#5 Italy's fortunes might come down to squad depth
A curious footnote coming into this game was that the second-last time Italy missed the FIFA World Cup, it was a 1-2 loss to Northern Ireland in 1958 that preceded the event.
Memories of Gian Piero Ventura's disastrous qualifying failure in 2018 have been swiftly banished, though, as Roberto Mancini has led a new-look Italian side to greater heights.
The Azzurri have already shown their progress by making the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. Given their home record, they could very well win the tournament in October.
Chief among the reasons why Mancini has generated this Italian revival has been his intelligent use of the squad available to him.
Indeed, Italy could very well have put out an entirely different XI and still run out comfortable winners. With two games against Bulgaria and Lithuania to come in quick succession, Mancini will have to rotate.
Italy's squad depth may prove to be the bedrock upon which they wrap up qualification to Qatar early, in a group they ought to win.
