Two goals from Frattesi, growth in Spalletti’s game, many wasted opportunities and a pinch of anxiety. This is the recipe for the 2-1 against Ukraine with which Italy celebrates the new coach’s first victory on the San Siro stage and chases away the ghosts of a play-off on the road to Euro 2024. After the half-failure of the equalizer at Macedonia’s home, the national team takes the three points it needed to move into second place in the group: the points are 7, like Ukraine and Macedonia who won tonight in Malta, but with one game less. Nothing decisive, in short, but not winning tonight either would have complicated everything, the standings and the environment. While waiting for the matches in October and November, when Spalletti will have more time to choose and work, as well as more fuel in the players’ legs, the protagonist of the evening is Frattesi: his brace and his performance are the sign of a new Italy, which perhaps lacks character and weight as an adult, not the desire to emerge and start again. The evening at San Siro, which turns on its lights for 55 thousand spectators of which over two thousand Ukrainians, begins with the Kiev national team singing the anthem wrapped in yellow and blue flags, and the whole stadium applauds. A shiver of peace, followed by a minute of contemplation for the tragedies of Morocco and Libya. Then it begins. Italy is in a hurry to make up for the evening in Skopje, and the formation and spirit are different. Raspadori takes the center of the attack, Locatelli the role of director, and these are the only technical changes not dictated by injuries. In midfield, Tonali’s absence gives space to Frattesi, who thrives in his new stadium. Rebrov instead gives up Mudryk and deploys a 4-2-3-1 on the counterattack. The pitch which, unlike the one in Macedonia, lets the ball flow favors the quick triangulations loved by Spalletti, the verve of Fratessi who constantly exchanges positions with Barella and the mobility of Raspadori give the Azzurri a change of gear, from 1′. After a high shot by Di Lorenzo (3′) and an encore in front of goal by Raspadori (10′), Zaccagni takes advantage of Sudakov’s slide in the 12th minute, enters the area and serves Frattesi who controls while running and hits the net. It’s the 1-0 that lets you breathe. This time it’s too early to slow down, Italy is close to doubling their lead with Barella (18′) and above all Raspadori, who to be honest in the 25th minute wastes a headed assist from an elusive Frattesi from the spot. And in fact, four minutes later the Inter player takes care of it again: Zaniolo cuts in from the right and throws his left foot, Frattesi in the area is quick to use the rebound on his leg to put it into the net. Doubt of offside, between him and Raspadori, and instead the VAR makes Italy celebrate for the 2-0. It all seems downhill, Dimarco comes close to making it three, but behind it some insecurity emerges, especially on the right due to the Konoplia descents. Yet the 2-1 goal, in the 41st minute, came on the opposite flank; Dimarco on Donnarumma’s save instead of sweeping returns to the feet of Yarmolenko, easy easy in front of goal. The 2-1 is undeserved and cruel. The result leaves no room for certainty. The thrill of returning to the pitch was caused by Tsygankov with a sure shot in the 4th minute, after a lightning-fast restart, luckily Bastoni blocked it. Shortly afterwards, however, Zaccagni wastes, in a photocopy of Raspadori from the first half: Dimarco changes field, Zaniolo puts it in the center and from the spot the Lazio player volleys wide. Big mistake, given the growing suffering of the Italian midfield and defense. Spalletti wants to remedy the situation with Gnonto for Zaccagni and Biraghi for Dimarco, Rebrov responds with the gem Mudryk. However, in the 15th minute it was goalkeeper Bushchan who took on the role of the champion and with his fingertips removed Raspadori’s right-footed shot from the net, caught in the area by Zaniolo. Scalvini comes close with a headed corner (20′) and Zaniolo comes even closer with a left foot, after a triangulation with Frattesi, but the Ukrainian goalkeeper blocks again (22′). It’s the best moment of the second half for Italy, who now know how to stay on the pitch despite suffering from the rapid Ukrainian counterattacks: in the 24th minute, following a persistent move, they first claim a penalty on Barella’s shot, then shake the crossbar with Locatelli. Retegui enters for Raspadori and Orsolini for Zaniolo. Biraghi tries a free kick, wide, a quarter of an hour from the end, then Konoplia with a header causes a shiver in front of goal. Final minutes holding the ball and holding their breath, but the final whistle makes Spalletti smile. Now we can look forward.”
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2023-09-12 21:06:41
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