UpdatedJune 4, 2022, 11:04 PM
In Bologna, Italians and Germans separated 1-1 in their first Nations League game. FC Zurich player Wilfried Gnonto has had his first selection.
Like the duel between Davide Frattesi (left) Joshua Kimmich, Italians and Germans separated back to back.
AFP
An Italy deeply renewed by Roberto Mancini, with no less than six new Azzurri having celebrated their first selection, resisted Germany (1-1), Saturday in Bologna, during the first day of the League of Nations.
Still undefeated (eight wins, two draws) since the arrival of Hansi Flick as coach in September 2021, the Mannschaft has certainly had the best opportunities to win this 36th edition of this European football classic.
Assisted by Gnonto
But the Nazionale, despite its morale at half mast three days following being slapped by Argentina (3-0), had the resources to find the fault first following the entry into play of an 18-year-old, Wilfried Gnonto, playing with the Swiss champion, FC Zurich, author of a decisive overflow for Lorenzo Pellegrini (70th).
This was not enough to shake this once once more solid Germany, which equalized just following by Joshua Kimmich (73rd).
Less than a year ago, however, the profiles were reversed at the end of the Euro: the Mannschaft came out weakened, beaten by England (2-0) in the round of 16, and sparkling Italy , following having subdued these same Englishmen in the final (1-1 following, 3-2 on pens).
Bonucci in the stands
But since then everything has changed: Germany shines once more and was even the first nation (excluding the organizing country) to win its ticket for the World Cup-2022, where it will have its say.
Italy, on the other hand, missed the plane for Qatar by stumbling once morest North Macedonia (0-1) in the play-off in March, and became ordinary once more, pale as its new light blue jersey. But what better than an ancestral poster once morest Germany to try to revive a disoriented Italy?
It was Mancini’s hope, on this ground where he played his first Serie A match as a player, more than 40 years ago, determined to change everything for his 50th on the Nazionale bench.
Many of the heroes of the Euro were at home (Verratti, Chiesa, Jorginho, Insigne, Immobile) and the others on the bench (Barella) see in the stands (the new title captain Bonucci, Locatelli, Belotti).
Only Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alessandro Florenzi, with the armband, recalled the “magical nights” of the Euro in this team entrusted to the youth of Alessandro Bastoni in defense, Sandro Tonali in the middle of Gianluca Scamacca in attack.
Italy dared
Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi, 22, celebrated his first appearance, followed by five other young Azzurri in the second half. This Italy in reconstruction obviously suffered as soon as the German attackers accelerated.
Donnarumma repelled a shot from a tight angle from Serge Gnabry (15th) and Florenzi sacrificed himself on a shot from Thomas Müller (25th). Then Gnabry missed the target following a good German action (38th).
But little by little, the Nazionale dared to sting Germany. Frattesi missed the target (34′) but Scamacca found the post from afar (35′). The latter was once more highlighted with a header to the side (47th) and an attempt to return too central (53rd).
Mancini then launched Gnonto: the unexpected FC Zurich striker awakened Italian hope by overflowing Thilo Kehrer to find Pellegrini within six meters (70th).
Germany, however, immediately equalized by taking advantage of a fragile Italian defense, Joshua Kimmich being the quickest to take back a poorly repelled ball (73rd). But Donnarumma was able to preserve this point in a hot end to the match, which looks like a new start for Mancini.
(AFP)
