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International Friendly: Italy 2 Netherlands 0

Conte – tasked with leading Italy into a new generation after Cesare Prandelli's post-World Cup resignation – could not have hoped for a better start in Bari on Thursday.

Immobile fired them ahead after just three minutes when a long Leonardo Bonucci ball caught the Netherlands defence napping.

Granted, Martins Indi's early dismissal ensured the match was played on Italy's terms, but their bright interplay and attacking verve is sure to have buoyed Conte ahead of the nation's first Euro 2016 qualifier in Norway on Tuesday.

Immobile quickly gave Italy the lead when Bonucci's hopeful punt split Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij.

De Rossi rolled his effort into the bottom-left corner as Hiddink swapped Jeremain Lens for defender Joel Veltman in a bid to stem the flow of goals, and while that was successful, the change did little to halt Italy's momentum.

Immobile missed the target again when played in by Zaza on the stroke of half-time and the latter's quest for a goal continued after the break when he shot into the side netting.

Robin van Persie fired just wide for the Netherlands after Andrea Ranocchia's poor headed clearance, but like Sneijder's first-half effort, it was a rare foray forward for the visitors.