Italy 8-0 San Marino: Gianluca Lapadula hat-trick inspires new-look Italians

Posted Thursday, June 01, 2017 by Skysports.com

Italy 8-0 San Marino: Gianluca Lapadula hat-trick inspires new-look Italians
Gianluca Lapadula celebrates the first of his three goals against San Marino

Gianluca Lapadula scored a hat-trick as a new-look Italy team thrashed their enclaved neighbours San Marino 8-0.

At 27-years-old, the AC Milan striker was among the oldest players in an experimental side given an opportunity by Azzurri boss Giampiero Ventura to prove their worth ahead of bigger tests to come.

Lapadula both opened the scoring and ensured Italy went into the break at Empoli's Stadio Carlo Castellani 4-0 up after Gian Marco Ferrari and Andrea Petagna notched their first senior goals.

Atalanta's star defender Mattia Caldara, who will join Juventus in July 2018, got the ball rolling in the second half with a headed goal on his Italy debut, with Lapadula sealing his treble with a clever chip.

Substitute Matteo Politano of Sassuolo also marked his maiden Italy appearance with a goal, this one scored from close range, and there was time for further embarrassment for San Marino as Giovanni Bonini put through his own net.

Italy 8-0 San Marino: Gianluca Lapadula hat-trick inspires new-look Italians
A new-look Italy ran riot against their lowly opponents