Italy-France 1-3 in the last match of the Nations League group stage. With this victory, Deschamps’ team finishes in first place with Italy 2nd. Both had already qualified for the quarter-finals.
GOALS and HIGHLIGHTS
Italy-France 1-3 At 65′ France extends further with Rabiot (a brace for him)
Italy-France 1-2 In the 35th minute Cambiaso shortens for the Azzurri
Italy-France 0-2 In the 33rd minute France doubled their lead with an own goal from Vicario
Italy-France 01– In the 3rd minute France immediately took the lead with Rabiot
THE MATCH
It was a bitter evening at the San Siro for Luciano Spalletti’s Italy who emerged defeated, 3-1, from the match against France in the last match of the group stage of the Nations League. A defeat that puts the Bleus in first place and the Azzurri in second, ahead of the draw for the quarter-finals. France started very strongly and took the lead after 3′ thanks to a header from Rabiot. Then Vicario’s unfortunate own goal and the immediate Italian reply with Cambiaso. In the second half Rabiot scored again and gave Deschamps’ team first place in the group. Spalletti’s national team takes a small step backwards, from the point of view of the game compared to the latest performances (with the goals conceded from set pieces), net of the technical qualities of the opponent. There is a full house at San Siro with 68,158 spectators present with the record takings for an Italy match, with box office revenue of 1,652,799 euros. Captain Donnarumma is forced to withdraw due to an intestinal virus: in his place is Guglielmo Vicario.
For the rest, coach Luciano Spalletti confirmed the starting team seen against Belgium with the exception of Locatelli, who takes Rovella’s place in the control room: behind the lone striker Retegui there is still Barella, captain given his unavailability of Donnarumma. In France Deschamps fields Thuram at the center of the attack with Kolo Muani and Nkunku at his flanks. Space for Guendouzi and Rabiot in midfield. Digne on the left in defense. After the tribute to Gigi Riva and the anthems booed by the two fans, we begin and within two minutes France took the lead with Rabiot who headed from a corner to take time from Buongiorno and beat Vicario. The Azzurri’s start is complicated. In the 9th minute Italy tried to respond with a shot from Barella from distance which Maignan saved without any major problems. Italy tries to impose their game, while France tries to strike on the counterattack. In the 18th minute Guendouzi tries but his shot is high. In the 25th minute Di Lorenzo tries to follow up with a free kick but his conclusion is wide. France dictates the tempo and dominates the game while Spalletti’s team is in trouble. And in the 32nd minute France doubled their lead with an unfortunate own goal by Vicario who deflected a free kick taken by Digne into his own goal.
The Italian reaction was almost immediate in the 35th minute when Italy shortened: Di Marco crossed to the center of the area and Cambiaso beat Maignan. The last minutes of the first half saw a more aggressive and proactive Italy despite Retegui’s difficulties, contained by Konaté and Saliba. In the second half Spalletti starts again with the same eleven and the Azzurri’s approach seems more aggressive. France does not change its attitude and tries to make itself dangerous on the counterattack. At 13′ Blues dangerous with Nkunku from distance. In the 20th minute France found their third goal, the second goal from Rabiot who headed the ball past Vicario once again from another corner. Spalletti tries to reinvigorate the attack with substitutions by introducing Kean, Raspadori and Rovella. Italy tries to close the gap, the coach also gives space to Daniel Maldini. In full injury time Maignan denied Kean the goal that would have put the Azzurri in first place. The result does not change. France redeems the defeat of the first leg and takes first place in the group.
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