Belgium 0 Italy 2: Goals from Giaccherini and Pelle ensure victory for the Azzurri

ANTONIO CONTE showed Chelsea what they can look forward to as he produced a tactical masterclass to neutralise Belgium’s superstars in Lyon.

By Chris Hatherall

GOAL: Emanuele Giaccherini

Italy went into the Group E clash as underdogs - a rarity for a nation which has won four World Cups and one European Championship.

But although Belgium fielded some of the most valuable players in Premier League history it wasSunderland reject Emanuele Giaccherini who stole the limelight.

Ziachherini, who the Black Cats have been trying to flog for just £2m, put his side ahead in the first half and left Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne stunned.

The 31-year-old playmaker, who spent last season on loan at Bologna after being told by Dick Advocaat he wasn’t worth a place in the Sunderland side, is in limbo at the Stadium of Light where new boss Sam Allardyce is keen to see him sold to help fund new signings.

But he looked worth every penny of the £6m Sunderland paid for him from Juventus in 2013 as he latched onto a stunning through ball from Leonardo Bonucci and easily beat Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois in the 32nd minute.

It must have been an emotional moment for a player who scored just five goals in 43 games on Wearside - and his wild celebrations with the entire Italian squad - in which Conte appeared to cut his lip -proved it.

Italy, who went into Euro 2016 being described by their own media as the worst Italian team ever to take part in an international finals, look in the mood to prove people wrong. And with Conte in charge they may well do that.

The Azzuri almost went 2-0 up when Southampton striker Graziano Pelle headed wide when completely unmarked eight yards out - and Belgium looked shell-shocked.

Marc Wilmot’s side, which featured seven Premier League heroes including Chelsea’s Hazard.Manchester City’s de Bruyne and Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini, were big favourites in Group E having moved up to second in the world in the FIFA rankings.

SUPERB: Pelle knocked in a great volley for Italy's second

But a long-range shot from Radja Nainggolan, the man reportedly wanted by Chelsea, which was well saved by veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, was the only highlight of a disappointing first half.

They improved after the break but Everton’s Romelu Lukaku wasted an excellent chance to equalise when he raced onto De Bruyne’s through-ball but blasted wide with the goal at his mercy.

It was almost Lukaku’s first real touch of the match against an Italian defence who once again looked organised and ruthless.

Belgian fans turned out in force to cheer on their heroes but booed when Nainggolan was subbed - and again when the ineffective Lukaku departed minutes later.

Belgium: Courtois; Ciman (Carrasco 75), Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Witsel, Nainggolan (Mertens 62); Fellaini, De Bruyne, Hazard; Lukaku (Origi 73)

Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva, Parolo, De Rossi (Motta 79), Giaccherini, Darmian (De Sciglio 59), Pelle, Eder (Immobile 75)

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)