Esposito scores again as 10-man Italy beats Greece
Silvio Baldini made it two wins from two as Italy's interim head coach as Francesco Pio Esposito scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Greece.
After fielding Italy's youngest starting line-up since December 1912 against Luxembourg last time out, Baldini's side delivered again despite Luca Reggiani's sending off.
The Azzurri's strong start was rewarded in the 18th minute through Esposito, who controlled Jeff Ekhator before finding the bottom-left corner with an instinctive finish.
Esposito almost grabbed his and Italy's second eight minutes before the break, but after collecting Davide Bartesaghi's pass, his shot was saved by Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Italy flew out of the blocks in the second half and should have doubled its lead, but after being found by Seydou Fini at the back post, Luca Koleosho could only hit the crossbar.
But for all of Italy's dominance, it was reduced to 10 men in the 68th minute when Reggiani's last-man foul on Tasos Douvikas saw his international debut last just 13 minutes.
Greece, however, was unable to make its man advantage count, with Christos Zafeiris thundering his effort against the right post before Vangelis Pavlidis saw his shot smothered by Gianluigi Donnarumma two minutes from time.
Ahead of kick-off, Baldini urged his players to be relaxed and play with freedom at Pankritio Stadio, and although Reggiani's red card threw a spanner in the works, Italy's young players more than held their own against an experienced Greece side.
It remains to be seen whether Baldini will still be in charge once Italy's UEFA Nations League campaign rolls around in September, with reports suggesting Antonio Conte is in line for a return.
