Italy put up a stellar performance to remain unbeaten in two years -a run of 20 games- against Karel Voolaid’s men.
The hosts got off to a good start inside the opening 14 minutes when Freiburg forward Vincenzo Grifo got his first international goal before Federico Bernardeschi got the second for Italy on the 27th minute mark.
Estonia kept Italy at bay for vast majority of the game until the dying embers when Grifo and Ricardo Orsolini both scored from the penalty spots on the 75th and 86th minute respectively to take the game beyond the Blueshirts.
Assistant manager Evani was on the touchline because Roberto Mancini is self-isolating following a COVID-19 diagnosis, and the Italian admitted he expected his side to beat the minnows and insists they could have done a lot better.
“It’s what we expected from our lads. We knew this was a game where we had everything to lose and couldn’t make mistakes,” the 57-year-old told RAI Sport.
“We saw some good things and the human quality within this group is extraordinary.”
Gianluca Vialli, who is currently part of Italy coaching staff, was in constant conversation with head coach Mancini via phone on the touchline.
He added: “Luca on the bench did what I usually do with Roberto, so there was this connection between them and it went well. To be honest, we could’ve done even better, as these lads could’ve pressed better and raised the tempo, but we can’t ask for too much.”
There were several debutants against Estonia , including Alessandro Bastoni, Luca Pellegrini, Pietro Pellegri and Matteo Pessina.
“It’s a good sign for Italian football and I am doubly satisfied considering I worked with many of these lads in the Under-20 Nazionale.”
