Italy unstoppable in Finland

By Football Italia staff

Italy are unbeaten against Finland since their first ever meeting in 1912 and have never conceded a goal on Finnish soil.

The Euro 2020 qualifier kicks off in Tampere tonight at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

While the Nazionale have a perfect record in Group J with five wins out of five, Finland only dropped points in the opening 2-0 defeat in Udine, winning their next four with clean sheets.

The Nordic nation have a surprising record in Tampere, winning their last six matches played here, all with clean sheets.

The last competitive goal conceded in Tampere was in their 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Ukraine on June 11, 2017, and Artem Biesiedin was the man responsible.

Italy have played in Tampere, but it wasn’t against Finland, as they beat the USA 5-0 in the 1952 Olympics.

The Olympics was also the setting for the only Finnish victory against Italy, 3-2 in extra time during the 1912 Stockholm event.

That was followed by one draw and 12 defeats.

However, the 0-0 stalemate in Rome in September 1975 was a very costly Euro qualifier that ruined Italy’s hopes of entering the tournament.

The Azzurri have never conceded a competitive goal on Finnish soil. Their UEFA and FIFA visits ended 2-0 in June 2003, 3-0 in June 1977, 1-0 in June 1975 and 2-0 in June 1965.

Including friendlies, Italy have won their last eight meetings with the Finns, keeping seven clean sheets.

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