Italy wins but doesn’t convince in America’s first outing against the Venezuela. Spalletti changes the skin of the Azzurri: he temporarily sets aside the 4-3-3 for the 3-4-2-1, but the national team does not shine at the ‘Chase Stadium’ in Fort Lauderdale. Many, too many mistakes were made. Like Buongiorno’s, which causes a penalty after 2′. And by Bonaventura, who gave Vinotinto the equalizer. The happy notes? Donnarumma and Retegui, author of a brace. Italy’s report cards, Venezuela’s top and flops and the match scoreboard in our analysis.
Venezuela-Italy, the key to the match
For the first of the American tour in Fort Lauderdale against Venezuela Spalletti chooses 3-4-2-1, with Frattesi and Chiesa supporting Retegui. Di Lorenzo is the right hand in the defensive trio completed by Buongiorno and Scalvini. Cambiaso’s absolute debut. Terrible approach from the Azzurri: after 2′ Scalvini-Udogie misunderstandingthe ball reaches Rondon in the area, Buongiorno extends it and it is rigor. The expert Vinotinto striker, however, kicks badly and Donnarumma is good at blocking. Italy’s first high score came in the 13th minute with a nice shot shot at Chiesa which ends not far from the intersection.
Relive all the emotions of Venezuela-Italy
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Behind Italy dances: Rondon wastes a few centimeters from goal following a cross from the left. At the end of the first half the game heated up due to two sensational errors. From a wrong referral by Romo comes the goal in Retegui. But immediately afterwards Venezuela exploits a Bonaventure’s madness to draw with Machis.
The restart immediately with a substitution: Bonaventura out, Barella in. Shortly after the 60th minute, another great opportunity for Batista’s team: Cadiz, having just entered, goes away to Buongiorno but crashes into a Donnarumma with the shutters lowered. In the 80th minute Italy took the lead again: fantastic number from Jorginho in the area and assist for Retegui, who repeats himself to set the result at 2-1. The national team will return to action on Sunday in New York against Ecuador.
Italy, what worked
One name above all: Retegui, twice on target. And it’s great news for the coach, who hopes to show up at the European Championships with a reliable striker. The Italian-Argentinian from Genoa had a perfect score: two shots, two goals. The Azzurri did much better when at the end of the match they returned to 4-3-3, Spalletti’s safe haven.
Italy, what didn’t work
L’3-4-2-1 experiment did not convince. Just as you were not convinced by the Azzurri’s approach. Because if after 2 minutes you give away a penalty that is the result of a chain of errors, then it means that you didn’t take the field with the right concentration. And if even a player like Bonaventura makes mistakes, some reflection must be made. Overall more of a step backwards from a gameplay point of view.
Italy’s report cards
- Donnarumma 7,5: Gigio is there. And he prevents the match from getting immediately uphill for the Azzurri by rejecting Rondon’s (terrible) penalty. In the second half he exalted himself on Cadiz.
- Di Lorenzo 5.5: From the start he was in obvious and constant difficulty on Machis.
- Good morning 4.5: After just 2′ he meets Rondon in the area and hugs him as if he were an old friend. He combined another one in the 63rd minute, when with a clumsy intervention he allowed Cadiz to fly towards Donnarumma. Goodnight more than good morning.
- Scalvini 5,5: The Atalanta player unleashes a festival of errors which ends with Buongiorno’s foul on Rondon.
- Cambiaso 6: On his debut for the senior national team, he was too wide on the left and ended up being seen little. But he touches the ball just enough to put Retegui in a position to score. Zaniolo (6 dal 73′).
- Locatelli 6: He intercepts Romo’s clearance, starting the action for the Azzurri’s momentary advantage. Jorginho (7 from 66′: His was the beautiful cue for Retegui’s second goal).
- Bonaventure 4.5: The mistake that paves the way for Venezuela’s immediate draw was sensational. Even more so because it was committed by an expert footballer like Jack. Stretcher (6 dal 46′).
- Udogie 5.5: It starts in the worst way: surprised by Scalvini’s pass, he lets himself be attacked by Aramburu in the action that leads to the penalty for Venezuela.
- Frattesi 5.5: It may be due to the limited playing time that Simone Inzaghi is giving him, the fact is that the 24-year-old lacks the spark, the lethal insertion. Pellegrini (6 dal 66′):
- Church 5.5: His was Italy’s first high note. It can and must give more in terms of continuity: there is no shortage of numbers and resources, but the next step is needed, that of a leap in quality. Which Spalletti absolutely needs. Zaccagni (6 dal 66′).
- Retegi 7.5: Two shots, two goals: practically a sniper. There is some good news from a European perspective. Raspadori (free from 87′).
Top and flop from Venezuela
- Matches 6.5: The former Udinese player torments Di Lorenzo and scores the 1-1 goal.
- Aramburu 6.5: This right winger born in 2002 for Real Sociedad is truly very interesting and has excellent legs and determination to spare.
- Romo 5: Italy’s opening goal comes from his wrong clearance.
- Rondon 4,5: He gets the penalty. And he misses it by kicking it very badly. I’m not satisfied, he misses another colossal chance in a slide with the door wide open.
The scoreboard of Venezuela-Italy
Venezuela (4-2-3-1): Blunt; Ferraresi, Angel (78′ Makoun), Osorio, Navarro; Aramburu (86′ Otero), Martinez (78′ Castillo); Machis (62′ Cadiz), Casseres (88′ Rincon), Savarino (62′ Pereira); Rondon. Available: Graterol, Contreras, Cordova, Murillo, Rivas, Gonzalez, Segovia, Zauner, Andrade. CT: Fernando Batista
Italia (3-4-2-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Scalvini; Cambiaso (73′ Zaniolo), Locatelli (66′ Jorginho), Bonaventura (46′ Barella), Udogie; Frattesi (66′ Pellegrini), Chiesa (66′ Zaccagni); Retegui (87′ Raspadori). Available: Carnesecchi, Meret, Vicario, Bastoni, Bellanova, Darmian, Dimarco, Mancini, Folorunsho, Lucca, Orsolini. CT: Luciano Spalletti
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Markers: 40′ from 80′ Retegui, 42′ Machis
Note: in the 3rd minute Donnarumma saves a penalty from Rondon
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Source: Gettyimages
