This record-breaking Italy side did it again and made it ten wins in a calendar year for the first time which the Azzurri had never done before as a superb 2019 finished on a high. In Palermo, there was only one side in it as Italy beat Armenia 9-1. The side showed character, energy and a great deal of quality as Roberto Mancini’s work to rebuild the team continues to bear fruit. The team showed no mercy tonight against an Armenia side that was forced to line up in a more defensive system due to a number of injuries.

Mancini made seven changes following the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sirigu was in goal behind a defence of Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Romagnoli and Biraghi. Tonali remained in midfield after his performance in Zenica with Jorginho on his left and Barella on his right. Zaniolo was in the role he plays for Roma up front alongside Immobile and Chiesa. The Azzurri began by pressing high and broke the deadlock with a one-two punch early on in front of the 27,000 strong crowd.

The first goals were in the eight and ninth minute. Babayan had a chance for Armenia in the sixth minute which Sirigu saved before Bonucci cleared. From then on, it was all Italy. Chiesa crossed to Immobile who headed beyond Karapotoyan and it was 1-0. A minute later, the Azzurri won the ball high up the pitch and Zaniolo finished between the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 2-0 and it was his first Italy goal. 2-0 up in under ten minutes, everything was going perfectly for the home side.

In the 18th minute, Immobile missed a great chance after going clean through. At the other end, Armenia hit the bar from a long-range Karapetyon effort. Italy then regained complete control. In the 29th minute, Bonucci picked out Barella with a great ball and the midfielder poked the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper. At the end of half, Chiesa was unlucky to hit the post in the 31st minute before the fourth goal two minutes later. In the 33rd minute, Immobile went round the goalkeeper and rolled the ball into the open goal. It was all too easy for the Lazio forward who took his Italy tally up to ten and he’s the most prolific forward under Mancini.

In the second half, Orsolini came on and was the 23rd player to make his debut under Mancini. He replaced Barella with Zaniolo moving into a deeper role. The chances kept falling for the Azzurri. In the 55th minute, Di Lorenzo went close before Chiesa hit the woodwork again in the 57th. In the 64th minute, Zaniolo made it 5-0 and got his second with a great strike from the edge of the area.

Mancini made another change in the 68th with Bonucci going off for Izzo. Five minutes later and it was 6-0 with Romagnoli turning home a rebound off Karapotyan from a Di Lorenzo shot. Two minutes after, 7-0. Orsolini was fouled in the box with Jorginho stepping up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way. Meret also had the chance to make his debut (the 24th player to do so under Mancini) when he came on for Sirigu in the 77th minute. After Orsolini made it 8-0, the goalkeeper conceded a consolation but there was nothing he could have done to keep out Babayan’s powerful hit.

That wasn’t it. After hitting the woodwork twice, Chiesa managed to head home his first Azzurri goal and he deserved it for his performance.