The Azzurri finally came to last night overcoming a number of off-field problems to beat Ukraine, 3-0. As several Serie A executives are on trial in a match-fixing scandal, former Juventus and Italian national team defender Gianluca Pessotto is fighting for his life after an apparent suicide attempt. Both Gianluca Zambrotta and captain Fabio Cannavaro returned to Italy to see their former teammate on Wednesday, just two days ahead of their quarterfinal with Ukraine. With playmaker Francesco Totti inserted back into the starting lineup, Italy played with a thrust that was missing from their last three games. Importantly for Italy, striker Luca Toni ended his goal drought, netting two second half goals. Zambrotta, who dedicated his performance to Pessotto, was the game’s best player, scoring a brilliant goal from outside the area after a neat one-two with Totti. Immediately following the match, the players held up an Italian flag that read “Pessottino we are with you.” Italy looked very impressive yesterday after looking tired and frustrated against Australia. Its defense has looked impenetrable, however, conceding one own goal in its second game against the United States.