Italy subdues England, Germany fall against Hungary / League of Nations
24 september 2022
The day after the victory of the French team against Austria, all eyes were on San Siro, this Friday evening, where Italy found England for a great classic of European football. More than a remake of the final of the last European championship, which ended in a coronation of the Nazionale, this enticing poster made it possible above all to measure the state of form of these two great world nations. Remaining at the quay for the World Cup in Qatar, Italy would be measured against one of the most highly rated teams in the table. And the formation of Roberto Mancini offered a prestigious victory at the end of a consistent performance, illuminated by a gem from Raspadori, author of the only goal of the match on a hook-strike sequence in the skylight. Gianluigi Donnarumma was also decisive in his former San Siro arena. England are relegated to League B following this setback.
Germany surprised
In the other match of this group 3, Germany conceded an astonishing setback against Hungary (0-1). A quick goal from Szalai put the Hungarians on the right track. The score has not changed, the fault of a Mannschaft out of efficiency in the two zones of truth. Elsewhere, in League B, Finland and Romania separated with a score of parity (1-1), while the derby between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro ended in a Bosnian victory over the smallest of margins (1-0).
Raspadori gives Italy 1-0 win to relegate stodgy England
Reuters -September 24, 2022
Italy’s Rafael Toloi (left) duels for the ball with England’s Harry Kane during the Uefa Nations League match. (AP pic)
MILAN: England’s sorry Nations League run continued yesterday as Giacomo Raspadori’s 68th-minute strike gave Italy a deserved 1-0 win that relegated the shot-shy visitors to the second tier League B and kept the Italians in the hunt to top Group 3.
There was precious little to provide optimism for England’s fans with Qatar only two months away but at least they will be going, unlike Italy, still trying to come to terms with their failure to qualify for the second World Cup in a row either side of winning the European Championship.
In a game of few chances at the San Siro, the hosts looked the more ambitious side and settled the game through Raspadori’s crisp finish.
England barely managed an effort on goal and looked unrecognisable from the team who went 22 games unbeaten until June – not counting the Euro 2020 final shootout defeat by Italy.
They have scored only one goal, a penalty, in their five Nations League games going into their final match at home to Germany on Monday.
Italy still has a chance of topping the group and making the playoffs but they will need to beat Hungary in Budapest on Monday after the surprise leaders won 1-0 in Germany.
After Italy started with a five-minute attacking flurry, highlighted by Gianluca Scamacca’s header pushed onto a post by Nick Pope, the first half developed into cautious probings from both sides with neither goalkeeper further challenged.
The risk-averse approach was perhaps understandable bearing in mind that in their last outings in June England were hammered 4-0 at home by Hungary while Italy lost 5-2 to Germany, but that was of little consolation to the bored 50,000-plus crowd.
Long ball
Italy improved after the break and settled the game when Raspadori neatly brought down a long ball by Leonardo Bonucci on the edge of the box and, given far too much time to consider his options, cut in onto his right foot and fired past Pope.
Manolo Gabbiadini, winning his first cap in five years, forced Pope into a good save, while the impressive Federico Dimarco hit the post as Italy finished strongly.
England were unable to manage more than a couple of Harry Kane snap shots and although manager Gareth Southgate was booed by the visiting fans as he went to applaud them he took a remarkably upbeat view of the game.
“It’s difficult for me to be too critical of the performance. We had more possession, more shots, more shots on target,” he said.
“For large parts of the game we played very well. We didn’t deal with the decisive moment defensively. We had moments where we had the chance to be decisive in their final third when our quality wasn’t quite right.
“It’s a spell where ultimately results are going to be the thing that everyone reacts to but I thought there were a lot of positives for us as a team tonight. I completely understand because of the result that is not going to be the reaction.”
