Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has admitted that his side were far from their best during their 2-1 victory over Azerbaijan in last night's Euro 2016 qualifying clash.

The 30-year-old put his side ahead in the first half, but then bundled the ball into his own net to hand the visitors an unlikely equaliser.

However, Chiellini's night was to end on a high note as he headed his side's winning goal in the 82nd minute to spare their blushes.

"The ball came out of nowhere, I couldn't get out of the way!" Chiellini told Rai Sport. "Oh well, I did everything tonight - good and bad!

"It would have been a shame if it had finished with their equaliser, we risked compromising the win we deserved.

"It is an important victory for our new era. We got it wrong up front with our finishing, but our attitude is the right one."

Italy face Malta in their next Group H clash on Monday.