Boro were boosted by the return of George Boateng who played his first game of the pre-season, while Jonathan Greening was rested with a sore back.
Juninho was an inspiration in the first half but Boro failed to capitalise on their chances and were lucky to go to the break all-square when Mark Schwarzer saved from Santana Mario Alberto.
The second half brought a complete change for the Italians while Boro replaced just Boateng with Franck Queudrue.
The turning point came just after the hour following a triple substitution by Steve McClaren, Joseph Desire Job replaced Colin Cooper, Carlos Marinelli replaced Szilard Nemeth and Stewart Downing replaced Juninho.
Minutes later Boro were 2-0 up, with Malcolm Christie netting both goals, the first at the second attempt, as his first effort was blocked. The second from a through ball by Job down the right channel which the new Boro hero hit first-time.
Boro then ran out comfortable winners as they gave short run-outs to Robbie Stockdale and Andrew Davies.
Boro team:
Schwarzer
Parnaby (Stockdale)
Wright
Cooper (Job)
Riggott
Southgate
Boateng (Queudrue)
Nemeth (Marinelli)
Christie
Juninho (Downing)
Doriva