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Italy coach Luciano Spalletti admitted that the Ukraine national team “gave his team difficult times”, but accused him of making their match “dirtier and more physical.”
This came after the two teams tied 0-0 in Leverkusen, which qualified Italy to defend its title in the European Championship finals, Euro 2024, after missing the 2022 World Cup.
Italy, which will participate for the eighth time in a row in the European Championship, ranked second in Group C of the qualifiers with 14 points, equal to Ukraine but with a better record in their two direct matches, knowing that England topped the group.
Ukraine, which had not previously won over Italy, called for a penalty kick after Brian Cristante’s reckless intervention on Mykhailo Modric in stoppage time, but the referee did not award anything.
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“Physical match”
Spalletti said after the match: “Things were not easy. We played a good match, and created many chances, but we were not able to score the goal that would have allowed us to secure qualification.”
He added: “Ukraine showed its readiness as a team and gave us difficult times. Today we played well, as we had many opportunities in the first half to secure the result, and when we were not able to do that, the match became dirtier and more physical.”
He continued: “Ukraine brought in more players who were physically strong, and from that moment on, it no longer played football.”
“Win” in Germany
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma spoke of “extreme happiness” and continued: “We have achieved what we deserve despite all the difficulties. We are back thanks to the new coach and the technical staff.”
The goalkeeper points out that Spalletti succeeded Roberto Mancini last August, and led Italy to win three matches, draw two and lose once.
Donnarumma added: “After all the difficulties we have faced, we too will be in Germany and we will go there as European champions in order to win, in order to return home with something.”
He continued: “This was achieved after suffering, but this group showed all its strength. This qualification is important for our team and our country.”
2023-11-21 00:18:21
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