Nations League, Netherlands-Italy 0-1: decide Barella, Zaniolo ko

All other Italy. Beautiful, strong-willed, bright. An Italy completely different from Bosnia in the debut of the Nations League: in Amsterdam the Azzurri beat the Netherlands 1-0 and the score so tight does not do them justice. Stage and jersey, one would say in cycling: Poland’s victory in Zenica launches Italy at the top of the group 1 classification. Unfortunately, the only discordant note is Zaniolo’s new injury, this time betrayed by the other. knee, left. One Nicolò is happy for the goal-match, Barella, another suffers and fears for the possible consequences in his career. The two faces of the night.

Personality

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True to his identity despite 7 changes from the match with Bosnia, Mancini’s team appears on the pitch under the name of Cruijff with intentions that the great Johan would have appreciated: a desire to build, players who know how to exchange tasks if necessary. necessary (the Barella-Jorginho-Locatelli medium imposed with each of its elements), total absence of shyness. The back oranje are less solid than they could be – De Ligt and De Vrij’s injuries weigh – while in midfield maestro De Jong tries to lead the orchestra. Both Mancini and Lodeweges have a pawn to move between midfield and attack at 4-3-3: for the blues it is Zaniolo, wide to the right, for the oranges it is Wijnaldum. In the first 45 minutes both will have opportunities, but there will also be better on the right around Immobile and on Insigne: the ball is always slightly out.

Zaniolo out, Barella scored

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The worst news of the first part azzurri is Zaniolo’s wince: a problem in his left knee – unfortunately there is a major sprain – forces him to give way to Kean. The best, of course, is the leading goal in full recovery. Also because the action is beautiful: a long phrasing that frees Immobile for the soft cross, beautifully gored by Barella. Aké does not see the inclusion of the Inter midfielder, Cillessen does not have time to react. One to zero.

Insigne everywhere

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The start of the recovery is also very comforting for Mancini: his Italy restarts with the same attitude, and if he does not bend immediately it is only because Cillessen flies to the umpteenth parable drawn by Insigne. We pass to the other side and Donnarumma responds to his colleague, putting out the only fireworks of Van de Beek’s evening. There ends the match of the new signing of Manchester Utd, enters Bergwijn, the winner of the Netherlands-Poland match. But it is Italy that continues to have the best chances, with Insigne everywhere, with Immobile doing everything right except the conclusions, with Kean touching the left post. After all, the Netherlands are lucky to be able to show up in the final sprint with just one passive goal. Sprint that results in a series of balls thrown into the area, some scrum, a lot of confusion. The last real thrill is a Depay twist on the go, then it’s a blue party. However, with a troubled thought, he turned to Zaniolo.