It is difficult to take too much from a friendly international at the best of times, but Antonio Conte will find it extra hard to learn any long-term lessons from his first game in charge of Italy.
The 2-0 victory over Netherlands in Bari was always going to be something of a non-event once Bruno Martins Indi had been shown a ninth-minute red card with his side already trailing and about to face a penalty.
From there the game was over as a contest, and any hope of either Conte or Guus Hiddink discovering anything telling about their new charges was just about extinguished, and it was only natural that the Netherlands boss should use the rest of the fixture as a glorified defensive training drill.
The Azzurri had started fast, taking a deserved third-minute lead and keeping their foot on the accelerator from there.
Leonardo Bonucci's rudimentary long ball was somehow completely misread by the Dutch defense, allowing Ciro Immobile in behind Martins Indi. He then rounded the advancing Jasper Cillessen before tucking home his first goal in full internationals.
FIRST DATES
Italy coaches' debuts
W 2-0
Dino Zoff
vs. Wales (1998)
D 2-2
Giovanni Trapattoni
vs. Hungary (2000)
L 0-2
Marcello Lippi
vs. Iceland (2004)
L 0-2
Roberto Donadoni
vs. Croatia (2006)
L 0-1 Cesare Prandelli
vs. Cote d'Ivoire (2010)
W 2-0
Antonio Conte
vs. Netherlands (2014)
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