Only a draw in Luciano Spalletti’s first match as coach, and Italy returns from Skopje with a result that complicates their race to Euro 2024. Against North Macedonia, who had eliminated the Azzurri from the world play-off, they finish 1-1, with a free kick from Bardhi responding to Immobile’s goal. But the draw that hurts – even more than the suffering of the Italians’ second half, after flashes of Spalletti’s play in the first – is the one with the same score between Ukraine and England, in Poland. Now the Azzurri have to contend with the Kiev national team for second place, given that the first place is reserved by the English. And on Tuesday at the Meazza the direct clash with the Ukrainians becomes a fundamental step. Of course, the coach who won the Napoli championship couldn’t be asked to revive a dull national team in just five days. Something of his ideas was glimpsed, but it was on the advantage gained that Italy let go, leaving space and hope to a Macedonia that had more. The home team’s equalizer came after minutes of evident suffering, and reflects the meaning of the evening.
For further information ANSA Agency Euro 2024: Ukraine holds back England, it’s 1-1 – News – Ansa.it The goals in the first half, from Zinchenko in the 26th minute and Walker in the 41st minute (ANSA)
Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri era began in Skopje against a national team considered shaky after the 0-7 against England and on an unwatchable pitch. The coach is the new player on the bench, Buffon is the head of the delegation in the stands; but the starting scheme is the same as in previous Italy, a 4-3-3 with Immobile assisted by Politano and Zaccagni and Cristante as director. North Macedonia responds with a 4-2-3-1 with Bhardi in charge of nipping the blue playmaker’s plays in the bud. Spalletti’s hand moves the ball faster than the left-handed one and searches for tight triangles in the area; Macedonia, on the other hand, relies on long balls (Spalletti’s so-called ‘balls’) to exploit the banks and foolish rebounds. The clods fly at every step, it is inevitable that Italy will be penalized the most. After 5′ Barella scored clearly offside on an assist from Politano, while Immobile’s offside caught in the area shortly after was less clear, and in any case anticipated for a corner. At 14′ the first blue signal, Dimarco triangulates with Barella but in the area he puts it in the center instead of shooting, wasting it; immediately after from a corner Cristante’s header grazes the base of the post. The match starts between 18′ and 20′. Donnarumma graces Miovski with a header, on the cross resulting from a lost ball by Politano – before a series of offensive escapes into the home team’s spaces – then Tonali imitates him: the former Milan player is launched into the area by Cristante but is in too much of a hurry and shoots on the first post. Cristante again dangerous from a corner (21′), this time with a right-footed turn that Dimitrieski instinctively rejects with his foot. At half an hour Mancini deflects a corner on Alioski in the area, Di Lorenzo responds by catching the cut from Immobile and Tonali in the Macedonian area, but the midfielder is anticipated. In the 38th minute Elmas from outside forces Donnarumma to block to the ground, immediately afterwards Politano with a sure shot from the spot tries to ask for a double triangulation for the Azzurri but Alioski involuntarily blocks and saves his goal.
Italy suffers on the outside in attack, and upon returning Spalletti replaces Politano with Zaniolo, to take advantage of the strength of his legs. Choice rewarded after 2′. The former Roma’s escape gives rise to a confused action, resolved by Barella whose right-footed shot hits the crossbar offering Immobile the ball for the tap in to make it 1-0. Macedonian protests over Atanasov’s downing were useless. But Italy slows down the pace, Macedonia tries to raise it dragged by Elmas. Mancini leaves due to injury, replaced by Scalvini. Zaniolo’s push from the right in the 20th minute leads the young attacker to shoot, blocked, and on the rebound Barella tries again in the area, also blocked. The lightness in his dribbling leaves room for the opponent, and Elmas – always him – in the 22nd minute comes close to hitting Donnarumma’s post from outside. It’s a sign that Italy is suffering, with the minutes lacking not only ideas but also oxygen. And in the 36th minute, when Spalletti is deciding on substitutions to catch his breath, Bahrdi’s free kick, following a foul by Zaniolo against Elmas who once again escaped the guard: the right-footed shot is precise but Donnarumma starts late and it’s 1-1. Inside Birgaghi and Gnonto for Dimarco and Zaccagni, Raspadori for Tonali the extreme move but it’s an Italy with its head down, with few ideas, short of breath. Spalletti has a lot to do, and on Tuesday Italy-Ukraine is already decisive.
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2023-09-09 21:40:00
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