This Wednesday evening, Italy and Argentina faced off in a prestigious match for the Finalissima. A meeting which sees opposing the winner of the Euro and the winner of the Copa America. This trophy, which had existed for only 2 editions before that (in 1985 won by France and in 1993 won by Argentina) was therefore back this year. Not qualified for the 2022 World Cup, Italy had the opportunity to save some honor by winning this trophy. Roberto Mancini, still coach, decided to field a globally redesigned team with Donnarumma, Bonucci and Chiellini all the same. For its part, Argentina presented itself at Wembley with a fairly offensive composition with in particular the two Parisians (or former for the second) Messi and Di Maria. The latter were accompanied by Martinez in front.
Dominating at the start of the game, the Squadra Azzura were surprised half an hour into the game by Argentina. Very far from his club level, Lionel Messi multiplied the races with and without the ball to move the Italian block. The Pulga after a very nice number entered the area and deposited the leather in the feet of Lautaro Martinez who only had to score in the empty goal (28th). Enough to confirm that there is now a Messi in the selection and another in the club. This goal gave confidence to the Argentinians who made the break thanks to a very good job by Lautaro Martinez. The Inter striker played Bonucci and sent Angel Di Maria deep. The former PSG dominated in the Chiellini race and adjusted Donnarumma with a small dive of which he has the secret (45th). The PSG goalkeeper saved his people after returning from the locker room by making a multitude of monstrous saves against Di Maria (60th, 62nd) and Messi (66th, 69th) and after catching a bad pass from Bonucci who was heading straight for his goal (58th). Powerless, the Italians could not come back and suffered until the end of the game, even conceding a last goal by Dybala (90th + 4). Argentina therefore won the Finalissima once again and Messi therefore experienced new success in selection.
Man of the match: Messi (8): if we have to compare his performances with PSG and the copy made this evening at Wembley, we are not far from wondering if it is the same player. As usual lined up in the heart of the attacking sector, the former number 10 of FC Barcelona was on all the good moves of the Albiceleste, even offering a goal to Lautaro Martinez. Always very fair in his ball shots, he was not far from scoring his 82nd goal in selection without the presence of his club teammate Donnarumma (65th, 67th, 70th). On a favorable counter, he served Dybala for the Albiceleste’s third goal at the very end of the match.
Italy
Donnarumma (6): little in demand at the start of the game, the Italian goalkeeper was however clean in his kicking game. The Parisian goalkeeper made a first save in front of Messi (27th) but bowed a few moments later, on an overflow of The flea, Lautaro Martinez passed in front of everyone and pushed the ball deep (28th, 0-1). He then conceded a new goal just before the break, well launched in depth by Martinez, Angel Di Maria deceived him with a superb dive ball (46th, 0-2). When he returned from the locker room, he could have conceded a gag goal on a missed pass from Bonucci (56th), before making a superb save on a curled shot from Di Maria (60th). The Italian saved his team from sinking by intervening once again in front of Di Maria (62nd), then in front of Messi (65th). He finally conceded a third goal in added time on a fine low shot from Paulo Dybala (94th, 0-3).
By Lorenzo (3): he did a lot of work on his right side by successfully repelling the opposing climbs well, however on the opener, the Neapolitan side was completely dropped by Lionel Messi who was then able to cross for Martinez (28th, 0 -1). In the second half, he was much more in difficulty like his whole team, the Italian was logically warned for a bad gesture (72nd).
Bonucci (3): at the start of the match, he made his vista speak to make several good forwards, but on the goal of Lautaro Martinez, he leaves too much space behind his back to the Argentine striker who can take the ball at close range (28th, 0-1). The Italian defender was then logically warned for an elbow on Messi (39th), before being still too easily erased by Martinez on the second Argentinian goal (46th, 0-2). In the second half, it was not better for him, he even almost scored a CSC on a missed pass, but fortunately Donnarumma was vigilant (56th).
Chiellini (3): Very attentive during the first minutes, the Italian captain repelled the first Argentinian attempts, in particular thanks to his good position on the lawn. On the opener, he however dropped the marking of Martinez who was able to score quietly (28th, 0-1). The 37-year-old defender was then overtaken by Di Maria who was also able to score (46th, 0-2). For his last game with Squadra Azzurra, he was substituted at half-time par Lazzari (3.5). The midfielder of Lazio never returned to his match, not making the weight in the face of the pressure of the opponents in the midfield.
Emerson (4,5) : he got into his match well by putting a lot of impact on his left side and not hesitating to go up to cross. The Italian fought a very big duel against Angel Di Maria, even if the Argentinian winger often managed to take the advantage. He was replaced by Bastoni in the 77th minute. The interist defender immediately saved his team by intervening on a strike from Lo Celso which was on its way to the goal (81st).
Pessina (5): Present at the start of the duels, he responded well to the heavy pressure from Argentinian circles by making several good interventions. Offensively, he very often projected himself to bring the surplus. He was replaced by Spinazzola in the 63rd minute. For his return with Italy, he did not experience an easy entry into play suffering the many attacks from Argentina.
Jorginho (2.5) : in difficulty at the start of the match, he made a few mistakes and had a lot of waste in his first transmissions, he then returned to his match, without however succeeding in gaining the upper hand over the opposing midfielders. He never managed to get out of the pressure put by Argentina.
Stretcher (3.5): he made a serious start to the game in midfield, collecting a few good balls and preventing the Argentines from building up their attack. But he was generally disappointing, failing to exist in midfield, despite some flashes. In the second half, he sank like all his partners in the middle. Annoyed by the opposing domination, he was warned for a late foul on Di Maria (78th).
Bernardeschi (3): he was not fair in his shots, very often making the wrong choices. The Juve winger didn’t shy away from carrying out the defensive tasks, however, making several good returns to come in support of Di Lorenzo. He was substituted at halftime by Locatelli (4.5). The Turin midfielder made a good entry into midfield, putting a lot of impact and making good interventions. He also took his chance from afar, but his deflected shot was quietly caught by the Albiceleste goalkeeper (59th). The Italian then gradually lowered his flag and could not cope with the dominance of the South Americans in the middle of the field.
Belotti (4): at the start of the game, the Italian striker pressed heavily on the opposing defense but touched very few balls. Often well placed in the area, he could have opened the scoring on his first and only opportunity but his lobed header was caught by the Argentinian goalkeeper (19th). He was substituted at halftime by Scamacca (4). Very stirring, the newcomer has done a lot of work with his back to goal. Making his power speak, he made several good shifts for his teammates but never managed to put himself in a good position to take his chance.
Raspadori (4): he did not hesitate to come down low enough to recover a few balls and he then managed to project himself well forward to bring danger, it was he who lit the first fuse on a strike in pivot, too soft to worry Martinez (12th). When he returned from the locker room, he did not exist against much more determined Argentines.
Argentine
E. Martinez (6): the Aston Villa goalkeeper did not have a complicated evening, little disturbed by the Italian offensives in the first period. Attempts by Squadra Azzurra often ended in the gloves of the former Gunner (12th, 22nd), present even on off-target attempts.
Molina (6) : the Udinese right-back was able to show himself offensively and defensively, foiling Spinazzola’s plans in his lane. Firm in his camp in the face of opposing breakthroughs, he did not hesitate to embed himself in the last third to assist Messi and Di Maria in attack.
Romero (6,5) : back from injury after missing the end of the Tottenham season, the former central defender of Atalanta Bergamo knew how to defeat the Italian offensives, always present in the right place to anticipate passes or cut off cross attempts. Replaced by Pezzella (85e).
Otamendi (5): if Roberto Mancini’s men gradually found it difficult to come and worry the Argentine defense, the central Benfica nevertheless offered them some possibilities on set pieces, whether from the hand or a late tackle , which earned him a warning (22nd). Less in demand when he returned from the locker room, he gained confidence in his game with the ball at his feet
Tagliafico (6.5): replacing the usual holder Acuña, the left side of Ajax Amsterdam did not experience any problems on his left lane, seeing Bernardeschi often go into the axis and Di Lorenzo restrain himself offensively. And when these two players attacked on his side, he didn’t let anyone play in his area.
From Paul (6): aligned in the double pivot, the midfielder of Atlético de Madrid was satisfied with the dirty work in the midfield, repeating the intense efforts to thwart the plans of the opposing midfielder. Seeing the Italians retreating over the course of the match, he did not hesitate to project himself into the opposing camp to offer offensive solutions. Replaced by Palaces (76e).
G. Rodriguez (6) : the Real Betis sentry spent the same evening as his friend in the central circle: first active to neutralize the Italian domination, he then spent a rather quiet hour of play. Very serious in his performance, the ascendancy taken by the Albiceleste is due to his work to circulate the ball among his people.
Say Maria (7) : the one who will leave Paris Saint-Germain free this summer made his left leg shine in this meeting. First by his activity on his right foot, concretized by his special – ball stung – to deceive Donnarumma before half-time. The Italian goalkeeper even had to deploy twice to put him in check on his rolled up (60th) then his volley (62nd). Replaced by N. Gonzalez (90 + 1e).
Messi (8) : see above
Lo Celso (5.5) : like his teammates in attack, the future ex-attacking midfielder of Villarreal posed some problems for the opposing rearguard. Often present on the counter, the former Parisian however missed a big opportunity to widen the gap (64th), finding only the small outside net. He missed another great opportunity at the end of the match to seal the fate of the meeting (81st). Replaced by Dybala (90 + 1e)which concludes the Argentinian festival in added time (90 + 4th).
L. Martinez (7.5) : first in difficulty in this meeting, the Inter striker only needed a quarter of an hour to shine offensively: perfectly served by Messi in the area to open the scoring, the Nerazzurro knew how to play with his body to get rid of the defense and launch Di Maria for the break before the break. An effective offensive work which allows the Albiceleste to return to the locker room with a good lead in the score. Little in sight in the second half, he is replaced by the future Cityzen Alvarez (85e).
