| Italy opened their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign with a relatively confident victory in Azerbaijan and can count on a constantly improving Alessandro Del Piero.
For the first time Del Piero was fielded as a Trequartista behind front two Christian Vieri and Filippo Inzaghi. The Juventus man was filling in for the injured Francesco Totti.
Post-World Cup Giovanni Trapattoni, whose job was in danger ahead of this game, opted to play a more attacking 4-3-1-2 formation with Francesco Coco moving between defence and midfield.
Inzaghi had the first opportunity on 14 minutes with an acrobatic volley, but the goalkeeper made a fine reaction save. The Milan striker also caused controversy when his shirt was torn by a defender, but the referee waved away penalty appeals.
Azerbaijan also had a good chance when Aslan Karimov's chip floated over Gianluigi Buffon and just past the crossbar.
By far the best effort came on 25 minutes when Christian Panucci floated a free kick into the box and Inzaghi's glancing header thumped the near post.
It eventually took an own goal to break the deadlock. Damiano Tommasi took advantage of a defensive error and saw his cross accidentally turned into his own net by Tarlan Ahmadov. The goalkeeper attempted a desperate recovery but it was too late to make up for the costly error.
Tommasi also got on the scoresheet before the break when goalkeeper Kramarenko flew to palm out his piledriver.
Christian Vieri was particularly out of sorts and his presence was barely registered in the Azzurri squad. The Inter man was replaced by an on-form Vincenzo Montella early into the second half. Massimo Ambrosini also came on for Gigi Di Biagio.
Inzaghi again went close with a volley that drifted over the bar, but captain Fabio Cannavaro was forced to fly in with a tackle when Aliyev skipped through a sleepy defence.
Del Piero calmed Trap's nerves by doubling their lead with a magnificent free kick. The Juventus star curled in his trademark setpiece from 25 metres, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance of making a save.
Azerbaijan refused to give in and Buffon turned a Sadygov low drive round the post, but soon after Musayev was booked for a theatrical dive in the box.
Former Under-21 captain Andrea Pirlo was given his senior debut for the final 15 minutes, pushing Del Piero back up to his favoured forward position.
The home side were fortunate to maintain all eleven men on the field when Guliyev hacked down Del Piero near the by-line, but he only received a yellow card.
Montella hit the back of the net eight minutes from time, but it was ruled out for a handling offence.
The Azzurri top the Group 9 standings alongside Wales, who also grabbed a 2-0 away win in Finland.
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