Many wasted opportunities and a final ten minutes of pure thrill, with Ukraine protesting for a possible penalty. Italy leaves the night in Leverkusen with the joy of knowing that they will return to Germany in June, for Euro 2024: qualification came directly, without going through the damned play-offs. The 0-0 against Ukraine was enough, even if it was undoubtedly the worst result among the good ones, perfect for a heart-pounding finale: despite the Azzurri’s dominance, all it took was a Ukrainian flash, an Azzurri mistake, a flaw in the net set up by Spalletti.
Also for this reason, as well as for the fear of the play-offs which do not bring good results these days, the Italian joy at the end of the match was uncontainable. Now a new page begins for Spalletti, that of peacefully building his team, with a great desire to get back up. He will start from the Chiesa who was the driving force of this evening, from the persistent difficulties in finishing on goal and putting a lot of play into practice, from the defensive solidity. The coach aimed to win, but given the times the ticket for Euro 2024 is a success.
For further information Agenzia ANSA Spalletti: ‘It wasn’t easy, now comes the best part’ Gravina: ‘The coach has recreated the spell’. Donnarumma: ‘We’re back’
Ukraine, on the other hand, goes to the play-offs, and who knows if they will expect to be rewarded for the decision of the Spaniard Manzano, who in the 90th minute passed over Cristante’s entry onto Mudryk’s foot in the area, without even resorting to the Var. . On neutral ground in Leverkusen, Spalletti prefers to confirm Raspadori to the physical Scamacca, in an attack that relies on Zaniolo for muscles; Gatti changes in defense with Turin player Buongiorno and in midfield Bonaventura with Frattesi. On the other side, Rebrov, forced to win to secure his ticket to Euro 2024, puts in a single true striker, Dovbyk, a giant from La Liga leaders Girona, but assisted by the half strikers Mudryk and Sudakov. In the stands the riot of yellow-blue flags, like those that surround the 11 of Ukraine on the pitch with the anthem, is counterbalanced by the many Italian emigrants. As expected, Ukraine immediately raises the pace, while Italy wants to envelop him in the dribble.
Between a Frattesi-Dimarco combination that leads to a shot (blocked) by Raspadori and a descent by Chiesa to the left, in the 5th minute the first opportunity is a shot from outside by Tsygankov, one of his best, blocked by Donnarumma. Chiesa responds by raising his right foot too high on the volley in front of goal, but the assist came from a ball over the line. Dovbyk leads the Italian defense around, opening gaps for the Ukrainian arrows, before Buongiorno measures him: so Mudryk from the left puts a very dangerous ball in the center, which Dimarco takes away from Konoplia’s head, then Donnarumma takes care of blocking the shot to the ground by Sudakov. And it’s only the 11th. Italy understands, and takes the ball into his own hands: to shake it, Chiesa, with his jerks. In the quarter of an hour Barella forces Trubin to punch away, Di Lorenzo tries twice with a header from a corner, lifting too high in the 20th minute and touching the base of the post 8′ later. Immediately afterwards, Frattesi had the great opportunity, served in the area by Chiesa who was quick to enter a central gap at speed: the Inter player wasted it by shooting on goalkeeper Trubin.
It’s Italy’s best moment, in the 31st minute Chiesa runs away again, this time to the left, on his ball aimed at the center Raspadori slides and is a hair’s breadth behind. The half ends with Barella’s right-footed shot blocked (42′) and the thrill caused by a ball lost in front of the defense by Jorginho. It ends without recovery, given the pace. Upon returning to the field, Scamacca is there for Raspadori and the good ball after 3′ is shot high, even from an offside position. Ukraine accepts control of the match by the Azzurri, to rely on quick counterattacks in spaces. In the 13th minute Chiesa tries, his right-footed shot goes just beyond the post. The 0-0 that holds and the time that passes scares Italy, and in the 20th minute they come close to messing up: Ukraine’s long throw-in, on the rebound in the center of the area Donnarumma lets it slide until Mudryak’s left-footed shot, which he has to block. Immediately afterwards, the Tsygankov-Dobvyk triangle was very dangerous. Spalletti gets furious with Scamacca who doesn’t keep the ball, and therein lies the key to the Azzurri’s suffering at the moment. In the 25th minute Politano comes on for Zaniolo in pain and Cristante for Jorginho. With his remaining energy Chiesa provides the good ball to Scamacca, who is anticipated in front of goal, before coming off for Kean with ten minutes to go. They are those of the Ukrainian pressing that sends all the physical attackers onto the pitch: 2′ from the end Donnarumma blocks Sudakov’s shot, then the Cristante-Mudryk contact and the suspense of the decision, which hangs for Italy. And it means passes for Euro 2024.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
2023-11-20 22:47:38
#Italy #qualified #European #Championships #Football
