Serie A resumed over the weekend after stepping aside for Euro 2016 qualifiers, where Antonio Conte’s Italy picked up two unimposing wins to go top of Group H. In Florence this past Saturday and in Milan a day later, Round 3 action saw two players involved which would have heightened the Italy tactician’s interest.

Italy, 18 points, are in pole position to qualify for France following single-goal victories over Malta and Bulgaria. A win next month against Azerbaijan could seal qualification. But Conte’s Italy have stuttered throughout, not really looking convincing.

The attack is causing most concern, with Italy unable to close-out matches. Conte’s attacking stocks are the weakest mustered up on the peninsula in decades. The forward line took a combined nine international goals into last week. Graziano Pelle netted his third in the win over Malta.

Not that it’s a recent phenomenon. Cesare Prandelli’s last two years in charge were met with similar issues.

Leonardo Bonucci admitted after the latter victory that Italy “lack the clinical finishing to kill off this type of game.” Since Euro 2012, Italy have scored more than twice in a game only four times – against Armenia and Denmark in World Cup qualifiers, in a friendly against San Marino and versus Japan at the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Fiorentina boss Paulo Sousa’s declaration before facing Genoa that “whoever comes to the Artemio Franchi will see him [Giuseppe Rossi] starting” must have been music to Conte’s ears. After playing an hour on Saturday, Rossi stated he ‘felt good’ and was ‘happy’. It was his first start since May 2014.

So long beset by injury, Rossi has never gone to an international tournament. He and Mario Balotelli – seven and 13 goals for Italy respectively – were seen as a partnership to lead Italy for years at the start of Prandelli’s reign. Rossi’s problems have been physical, Balotelli psychological.

The striker rejoined Milan after an ill-fated spell at Liverpool. He came off the bench as the Rossoneri trailed in the Derby della Madonnina against Inter. Super Mario was unable to rescue a point, although twice came close. It was a promising start.

The pair still have a way to go before they can be considered by Conte. Rossi hopes his injury woes are finally behind him, while Conte said a Balotelli return depends on the player. Playing regularly for their clubs is the next step. Yet given Italy’s struggles, their returns are a welcome boost.