Ciro Immobile signs first goal of Spalletti era

Ciro Immobile, goal with captain’s armband on his arm

It's by Ciro Immobile, at 2' of the second half of Macedonia North-Italy, the first goal of the new course of the Azzurri national team, led on the bench by Luciano Spalletti. The goal unblocked the match on the difficult Skopje pitch and è was greeted by a shout of liberation from the Italian players, who also ran from the bench to embrace Immobile.

The new Azzurri captain headed back into the net the ball rejected by the crossbar after a Nicolò Barella conclusion. The goal was not è immediately validated: the Var check, however, confirmed the bontà of Immobile’s position on the field.

For the 33-year-old Lazio striker, it was goal number 17 with the national team jersey: he had also scored in the last match played with the Azzurri jersey, the Nations League semifinal lost 2-1 to Spain.

Luciano Spalletti was thus able to celebrate after a bitter and difficult first half, in which, however, Italy had come close to scoring with Sandro Tonali, who was able to catch the post in the 21st minute of the first half on Macedonian soil.