Josh Magennis tries to turn Giorgio Chiellini but is not quick enough to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to the ball.

Still, Northern Ireland are really pressing to get a goal back.

Shayne Lavery miscontrols the ball on the edge of the box but does well top poke it out to Michael Smith, whose shot is deflected behind.

Paddy McNair sends it high and long to Jonny Evans who chests it down before Gianluigi Donnarumma has to produce a reactive save to bat away a cross.

Lorenzo Insigne goes on a mazy run, picking up the ball on the left before darting along the edge of the area and then hitting a curling effort just over.

Changes for both sides as we pass the hour mark. Shayne Lavery, who has 19 goals for Linfield this season, is on for Gavin Whyte.

Nicolò Barella replaces Lorenzo Pellegrini for Italy.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI

You have to credit Ian Baraclough and the Northern Ireland players.

It was looking bleak for them at half-time, but they clearly regrouped at the break and have made a positive start to the second half.

They could have had a goal with a but more luck but, while Italy may be sitting off slightly, the visitors are enjoying some decent possession and have at least not let the match drift any further away from them.

Shayne Lavery has just come on for Gavin Whyte and he will certainly continue the hard work that the Hully City man put in

Have Italy become complacent? Or have Northern Ireland sparked into life? The visitors are enjoying a really good spell at the moment.

BIG chance for Northern Ireland! Two big chances in fact!

Italy make a hash of a pass back to the goalkeeper and Gavin Whyte reacts quickly, stabbing at the ball but Gianluigi Donnarumma blocks from point-blank range before then denying Michael Smith.

Josh Magennis does well to squeeze a cross in from the right that is dangerous and requires Giorgio Chiellini to hack away.

Northern Ireland win a corner soon after and Paddy McNair sends the ball long to Magennis but Italy deal with the danger.

A ball into the box from Lorenzo Insigne following a short free kick skims the top of Ciro Immobile's head and just wide of goal.

Positive start to the second half as Gavin Whyte hits a first time effort into the sidenetting after running onto a knockdown inside the box.

A goal back early on in this half would certainly make things interesting.

We're back under way with a change for Northern Ireland - George Saville is on for Corry Evans.

Keith Gillespie
Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio Radio Ulster

When you go to these nations you need your goalkeeper to play well otherwise you are on the back foot. The first goal is a poor one when the ball goes over Stuart Dallas' head and Berardi can take the ball in and lift it over Peacock-Farrell, and the second one keeper should be saving. We just haven't got close enough to them.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI

Northern Ireland goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell should probably have done better for the first goal and the Burnley man should definitely have done better for the second.

As frustrating as that will no doubt be for NI manager Ian Baraclough, the truth is his team have been outclassed throughout the half.

They made a solid start but, since the 10-minute mark, the hosts have had their swagger on and are swarming all over their visitors.

Manuel Locatelli is dictating play from deep in midfield and Domenico Berardi has wreaked havoc from the right hand side.

Northern Ireland need to press quicker and higher, and keep possession much better when they get it. Far easier said than done, of course.

Image source, PA Media

The whistle goes for half time with Italy firmly in control of this one.

Image source, .

Northern Ireland have had some good moments in this game but two down now means it is surely about damage limitation. They need to make sure they get to half time without conceding a third.

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

That was the perfect example of how good Italy are on the counter attack. We had a decent move but it was a poor cross and three passes later they are in. Bailey Peacock-Farrell should never have been beaten by that. His own reaction tells a story, he has buried his face into the turf. We've got to go for it now, we don't have a choice.

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

We aren't causing them any problems whatsoever. They seem to have all the time in the world to pick their passes out. We've got five across the middle and we have to get tighter and go man-to-man. The Italians are happy to win this 1-0. It's like a practice match.