Nations League, Italy-Germany 1-1: goals from Pellegrini and Kimmich

by our correspondent Fabio Licari

June 4th
– BOLOGNA

And nothing, there is no official match in which Germany can beat Italy. Worlds, Europeans, now also the Nations. We are their curse. It was needed, after the Wembley embarkation. A 1-1 that gives Mancini a little respite and brightens the horizon. Nothing special, the problems remain all, perhaps the Germans underestimated their commitment a little, or perhaps Argentina had deluded them: but in the end it was Italy that played better and deserved more. A 1-1 all in the second half. Advantage of Pellegrini on the unstoppable entry from the right of Gnonto (25 ‘), the 18-year-old deb who entered the great, and immediate equal of Kimmich (28’), almost a reaction of pride of the Germans who did not want to lose but did not enchant . Well among the Pellegrini blues, but when he focused as a playmaker (a suggestion not to be overlooked). Good Scamacca, center forward for the area and maneuvering, Florenzi too who – unlike other less famous colleagues – is keen on the shirt. Bastoni, Cristante and Biraghi were less positive. Germans kept on their feet by Kimmich, but for them too there is work to be done. On Tuesday he challenges Hungary momentarily in the lead after the surprise victory over the English. Turnover is inevitable, but the impression is that Gnonto won’t be out anytime soon.

FALSE START

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Yet, the first few minutes cause fear of another ship. The Azzurri are planted in front of Donnarumma and for a quarter of an hour it is almost impossible to overcome the high pressure of Germany and start again. Bad signal, as if we had forgotten how to get out with the ball. Scamacca seems alone, with Politano and Pellegrini very wide on the sidelines. For sure, the near-experimental training doesn’t help get the game flowing. Mancini changed ten compared to Wembley, confirming only Donnarumma, and left Bonucci, Locatelli and other big names in the stands. A signal? Central Cristante does not impose and does not convince even defensively, Tonali is less warrior than in Milan, Frattesi is a fury but is often disconnected from the others. Fortunately, Germany did not take advantage: after that quarter of an hour of pressure, they lowered the pace and seemed to wait for a misstep by the Azzurri to strike. The dribble of Goretzka and Kimmich, and the movement of Gnabry to the right, are not enough. On the other side, Sané, wide to the left of the 4-2-3-1, seems quite annoyed at having to sweat on such a hot evening. Italy understands that it is time to react. And the game changes.

SCAMACCA-PILGRIMS OK

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Suddenly it is the Azzurri who take the initiative. If the thrust is mainly from the right, with a Florenzi who does not really want to contribute to the renewal, and with Frattesi the “barellino” version, it is in the middle that we find beautiful triangulations. Scamacca is excellent in defending the ball and making the bank, Pellegrini decides to leave the left to improvise as an attacking midfielder: his dribbling movements open spaces, the German defense is not armored, and the Azzurri try. Frattesi pulls, not very well, three times. Scamacca, from outside, hits the post with Neuer beaten. Germany has a reaction and comes close to scoring with Gnabry shooting high: but the Germans arrive in many in the area. The filter in front of the defense is not working.

GNONTO, WHAT A DEBUT!

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The Azzurri were even more convincing in the second half. Germany seems short of preparation, while Italy believes in it and raises the pace. Scamacca continues the great work on the bank, Tonali now “feels”, behind Acerbi and Florenzi they guarantee protection and thrust. Pellegrini, Scamacca head and overturned, Politano: there is no shortage of opportunities. And when Mancini inserts Gnonto, 18 years old, absolute debut, at 20 ‘, it is the turning point: the little Zurich striker takes an impregnable right and puts a very cut ball in the middle where Pellegrini only has to support the net. It is clear that Germany is not there and has a reaction of pride. The new entry Musiala makes movement and, on a defensive mess, with Bastoni not irreproachable, Kimmich finds the equal that Donnarumma then defends with five rookies on the field: in addition to Gnonto, Ricci, Pobega, Cancellieri and Dimarco, more Frattesi who have recently come out.