With two goals in the second half theItaly wins the last place on the podium of the Nations League. Belgium beaten 2-1 thanks to Stretcher and to the rigor of Berardi. The national team of Martinez, however, after hitting two crosspieces and a pole, shorten distances with The Ketelaere a few minutes before the final whistle.
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THE CHRONICLE
Mancini changes the trocar of the midfield giving space to Pellegrini and Locatelli, deployed in the role of central playmaker. Forward, goodbye to the false nueve and space for Raspadori, placed between Berardi, on the right, and Chiesa on the other side. In defense, with Bonucci disqualified, there is the Acerbi-Bastoni couple. Martinez is without the heavy trident (De Bruyne-Lukaku-Hazard) and moves Saelemaekers into the role of one of the two half-strikers (the other is Vanaken) behind Batshuayi. The playing principles of the two teams, aided by a limited use of pressing, are similar: search for a free man in half spaces and openness to the outside. In the first two minutes Chiesa touches the goal on a couple of occasions, while on the other side Batshuayi tries without success.
With the increase in aggression, Italy manages to recover balls in the offensive area and Berardi engages Courtois precisely following a pressing action. But the blues can also take advantage of other weapons, such as the search for depth. Chiesa, moved to the central forward position, rewards Raspadori’s cut from the left which is closed in a corner kick. The game is still lively and Saelemaekers, on a support from the right by Batshuayi, takes in full the intersection of the goalposts at Donnarumma beaten. At the end of time, Italy limits itself to defending positionally, leaving the initiative to Belgium, which however builds a lot but ends little. Indeed, it is the Azzurri who are getting closer to the advantage with Chiesa, who first tries from the outside, then, caught by a change of game, gets his right hand deflected by Courtois face to face with the Real goalkeeper.
The recovery could not have started better. Barella, after a defensive rebound on a corner kick, hits a right-footed shot that puts Courtois in. Martinez puts in De Bruyne and De Ketelaere for Tielemans and Saelemaekers giving a new offensive imprint to his team, who take the bar with Batshuayi. But immediately after Castagne lands Chiesa in the area and Berardi scores the 2-0 penalty. Belgium reacts twice with Alderweireld, but he has to deal with a super Donnarumma. Carrasco hits the post before De Ketelaere’s not irresistible shot lowers the PSG goalkeeper’s vote, giving Belgium the final 2-1 goal. A result that gives Mancini the third place in the Nations League and, above all, the satisfaction of having found glimpses of the best Italy even without important owners.
REPORT CARDS
Church 7 – He touches the goal on more than one occasion, gets the penalty that closes the game. It is always the most dangerous forward.
Raspadori 5.5 – He is appreciated for the banks and the dirty work but the time he has the right opportunity he does not take advantage of it.
Stretcher 7 – The goal that unlocks the game is a real gem. For the rest, the usual precious work in the middle of the field.
Saelemaekers 7 – Deployed on the trocar and not on the wing, he shows that he knows how to find the right position in the offensives of his team.
Batshuayi 6.5 – A vote that is the average between the ability to unmark and the lack of confidence in aiming.
Courteous 7 – Save face to face with Chiesa and almost save the penalty from Berardi.
THE TABLE
ITALY 2-1 BELGIUM
Italy (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma 6.5; Di Lorenzo 6, Acerbi 6, Bastoni 6.5, Emerson 6; Barella 7 (26 ‘st Cristante sv), Locatelli 6, Pellegrini 6.5 (26’ st Jorginho 6); Berardi 6.5 (45 ‘st Insigne sv), Raspadori 5.5 (21’ st Kean 6), Chiesa 7 (45 ‘st Bernardeschi sv). All. Mancini 7
Belgium (3-4-2-1): Courtois 7; Alderweireld 6, Denayer 5.5, Vertonghen 5.5; Castagne 5, Witsel 6, Tielemans 5.5 (14 ‘st De Bruyne 6.5), Carrasco 6 (42’ st Trossard sv), Saelemaekers 7 (14 ‘st De Ketelaere 7), Vanaken 5.5; Batshuayi 6.5. All. Martinez 6
Referee: Jovanovic
Markers: 2 ‘st Barella (I.), 20’ st Berardi (I.), 42 ‘st De Ketelaere (B.)
Ammonites: Vertonghen (B.), Di Lorenzo (I.), Witsel (B.), Alderweireld (B.), Emerson (I.)
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