Bosnia-Italy 0-2: Belotti and Berardi scored. Azzurri in the Final Four

Mission accomplished. Italy in Sarajevo easily tame Bosnia (2-0), win the group and fly to the Final Four of the Nations League. To drag the blues Gallo Belotti who scores again with the national team (he had not scored since November 15, 2019, only against Bosnia in the European qualifiers) and a Lorenzo Insigne unleashed that shows all his magic repertoire: decisive plays, sacrifice without ball, personality in going to roar even in defense. But in the blue orchestra everything really worked, from Bastoni who in his third defensive presence plays as a veteran to Jorginho, confident and clean in the direction. From the interiors Barella and Locatelli, two Duracell piles, to Berardi who takes inspiration from the right hand side, makes a perfect duet with Belotti and delivers the ko hit to Bosnia.

The rooster is there

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Italy is without coach Mancini, Bosnia is decimated by the coronavirus without half a team Dzeko (author of 4 of Bosnia’s 8 goals in the Nations League), but also Turkes, Sehic, Hajradinovic, Hasic, Hodzic, Zeljkovic, Kolasinac. And on the pitch, the difference in technical rhythm is evident. The blues start like a rocket with Belotti who collects in the first 15 minutes but wastes two chances to score: at 6 ‘primed by Insigne he kicks first intention with the left, the ball ends up very wide. And at 15 ‘when he receives an assist from Florenzi, he hits his head but sends to the side for very little. The rooster, however, despite not being in top form due to a blow remedied with Turin, on the third attempt is not wrong. And at 22 ‘with a center from the left by Insigne, he throws a right volley and beats Piric. The bomber with 6 goals is now the top scorer for Mancini’s blue management. It should be noted, in the first half, also the perfect counterattack by Insigne who from 20 meters tries to turn right and hits the outside post. But also the great opportunity wasted by Bosnia with Prevljak who, from inside the area, turns well and kicks with the right. Donnarumma is great.

made in Sassuolo

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In the second half, the Azzurri continue to polish the game. Bosnians sting from time to time thanks to Pjanic’s verticalizations that unleash Krunic and Gojak. But it is Italy that has touched the double several times (Belotti at 50 ‘, still with an assist from Insigne, and Acerbi, his left at 60’ finishes very little). In short, the Azzurri only lack the coup de grace that arrives on time at 68 ‘. And it is a goal made in Sassuolo. Help Locatelli look for Berardi, who on the go is good at throwing with the left. For the winger it is the second consecutive goal against Poland, third overall for the national team. In the final at 87 ‘Italy plays the trio with Bernardeschi who, always inspired by Insigne, hits the crossbar.

the numbers

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The difference between the two teams is also highlighted by statistics. The Azzurri have 62 percent ball possession, collect 15 shots, of which 4 on goal compared to Bosnia’s 7 in total and also 8 corners to 3. Italy have not lost a game since 10 October 2018 and thus there are 22 consecutive useful runs. Two whole years without defeat. This is Sarajevo’s fifth away game without conceding a goal: it didn’t happen between 1972 and 1974, when Ferruccio Valcareggi was on the bench.

the “prize money”

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Thanks to the victory with Bosnia, Italy wins the “Final four” of the Nations League to play at home (between Milan and Turin in October 2021), we became seeded in the qualification draw for the 2022 World Cup (the December 7) because we are among the top 10 Europeans in the FIFA rankings and practically secured at least the world playoffs. Better than this…