■ TALLINN, Oct 9: Christian Panucci and Pierluigi Casiraghl shared the honours on Saturday when Italy beat humble Estonia 2-0 in a European Championship Group Four qualifier, reports Reuter.

But the scorelin^belied a scrappy performance by Italy that did little to dispel the doubts about the current style and finish of the World Cup finalists.

Italy desperate for victory after a sloppy 1-1 draw with Slovenia last month, fielded an attacking formation against Estonia whose only wins since independence three years ago have come at the expense of fellow minnows.

But it was defender Panucci. who broke the early deadlock, seizing on a scrambled clearance from keeper Mart Poom, Estonia’s only player with foreign league experience. to score Italy's first goal in the 20th minute.

Castraghi headed home a left foot cross from striker Giuseppe Signori In the 77th to seal the scoreline in a game

that went all Italy's way but did little to warm the hearts of 50 Italian fans among the 4,000

. crowd in the chilly Tallinn Stadium.

Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi, criticised for his team's un-( gainly path to the World Cup' final, had to do without start striker Roberto Baggio still struggling with a thigh injury.

Hie retirement from international soccer of central defender Franco Bares! and last minute fitness problems for two other stalwarts forced him to field a side which included two debutants-winger Roberto Rambaudi and defender Giuseppe Favalli.

Gianfranco Zola, whose free-kick led to Panucci's goal. had to drop back from attack to an unaccustomed place in midfield.

It was Sacchi’s 33rd different line up in as many games in charge of Italy and the disruption showed in the play.

Signori struck the post in the 16th minute with a flying kick at goal but otherwise failed to trouble Poom. who recently joined English First Division side Portsmouth.

Estonia beaten 2-0 by

Croatia in their opening qualifier. only twice came close to passing Italian keeper Gianluca Pagliuca.

Marko Kristal latched on to a defensive error from Paolo Maldini. Baresi's successor as captain, in the eighth’ minute forcing Pagliuca to push the shot round the post.

Pagliuca also had to stop another shot five minutes from time when defender Marek Lemslau broke free and blasted the ball towards the net from the edge of the area.

Italy went, top of the group on three points from two matches and now play second placed Croatia at home on November 16.

Sacchi asked about the side's performance, acknowledged that it 'Was not the first lime" he would face criticism but shrugged off the lacklustre showing.

"When you play against a side that shows a lot of guts and can foul as well and they put all they've got into the game, then it's difficult unless you get a goal early on." he said.