The warmth of the San Siro crowd was not enough for Italy to contain Didier Deschamps' France, who won with a clear 3-1 in the last match of the Nations League group stage. Luciano Spalletti's team gave in to the compactness and effectiveness of the Bleus, who with this victory leap to the top of the group.
The start of the match made France's intentions clear. After just four minutes, Adrien Rabiot broke the deadlock with a header from a corner kicked by Digne. Despite Dimarco's attempt to clear the ball on the line, the ball went in, leaving Vicario and the Italian defense helpless. Italy tried to react, but appeared confused in the final meters and unable to trouble the opposing goalkeeper, Maignan.
In the 34th minute, the episode that further complicated the Azzurri's evening: a free kick from Digne hit the top corner, bouncing off Vicario's back before ending up in the net for a mocking own goal. With the score at 0-2, Italy seemed on the verge of collapse, but Andrea Cambiaso, served by Dimarco, reopened the game two minutes later with a precise shot that beat Maignan, rekindling hopes.
Second half: Rabiot heads the game away again
In the second half, the Azzurri took to the field with greater intensity, persistently seeking the equaliser. There were plenty of opportunities, with attempts by Locatelli and Dimarco, but the manoeuvre was often imprecise and fragmented. In the 67th minute, the shot that definitively closed the game: once again refill, with his header, made it 3-1 following a free kick from the left.
The last twenty minutes saw Italy try a desperate push, culminating in a chance for Kean in injury time, neutralized by a Maignan who was in a great mood. In the final minutes, France managed the double advantage without any worries, demonstrating a solidity that Italy lacked for large parts of the match.
The defeat leaves the Azzurri in second place in the group, with all the implications that this entails for the rest of the tournament. Spalletti will have a lot of work to do: although the team showed glimpses of quality, the difficulties in defensive organization and in building the game were evident. For France, however, a performance that confirms its strength and ambition to aim for the title.
Article published on November 17, 2024 - 22:44
Video Chronicles
It's a shame that Italy lost, but France showed that they are really strong. Congratulations to the opponents!
It's a shame for Italy's defeat, we hope they can improve in the next matches.