Giorgio Chiellini assures the 0-0 draw with Switzerland was ‘a big step forward’ from the Bulgaria performance and ‘probably better’ than when Italy beat the same team 3-0 at UEFA EURO 2020.
Of the starting XI in Basel, 10 were identical to the side that beat Switzerland 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on June 18, with only Emerson Palmieri in for Leonardo Spinazzola.
“We played really well this evening in every sense, with technique and aggression, probably better than when we beat Switzerland 3-0 in June,” Chiellini told RAI Sport.
“What we lacked was the little bit extra to score a goal. This is what we need to find as soon as possible, because this was already a big step forward from Thursday’s game, as we were back to the team we saw in Wembley.
“We’ll make another step forward for the Nations League in November, then we’ll take World Cup qualification after that. Let’s take it one step at a time, recover some energy, there’s a long way to go and we have to prepare for Wednesday.”
Jorginho failed to convert the penalty, his first time after five successful spot-kicks, although it’s his second consecutive error if we count penalty shoot-outs and the UEFA EURO 2020 Final.
“At that moment, it’s the team that has to help Jorginho and we did, able to suffer to the end working for the result, because that is not to be taken for granted. If we didn’t have that bit of focus, we could’ve lost tonight and then really complicated our qualification.
“There are many positives to be taken from this performance and we have to build on those.”
Italy played better tonight. Much more encouraging performance than previous game. Entertaining match that lacked only goals. Step in the right direction. Italy need to be more clinical to convert their chances to goals
Giorgio is doing what a good captain does and says….focus only on the positives! This is our forum to talk and lament about the negatives when things go wrong. We should’ve had 6 points from the last two games, instead we have 2. We have a CF who just wants to run away and hide right now. If we had two more like Chiesa up font, I’m sure we could go another 36 games without a loss. I’m sure we’ll get a few against Lithuania and people might falsely think that our problems are behind us……….they’re not!
There was an article by Football Italia about how the Euros triumph cannot hide Italy’s problems upfront. This is now in full display. Zaniolo and Kean should be starters sooner rather than later.
Thought we’ll go through with the WC Qualifiers this time round without any tension .. just relax and enjoy .. but no .. we have to suffer .. we are Azzurri supporters na 🙄❗❗ Anyways Forza Azzurri always 🇮🇹👍👊💙🍀
1) Till Jorginho gets confidence back, Bonucci shud take penalties 2 )Need a tall strong targetman in the box
3) Pellegrini is in excellent form, can score frm any angle, leftfoot, rightfoot, long rangers, free-kicks, penalties .. shud play
4) Against strong opposition, Chiesa must start so should Locatelli
5) Scamacca or Kean in place of Immobile
6) Zaniolo not yet in peak form .. but shud play 15-20mins regularly. 7) Calabria, Bastoni and Mancini shud get game time to be prepared!!
FORZA AZZURRI 🇮🇹👍👊💙🍀
If we’d got 6 points or atleast 4 from this round of Qualifiers the Nation’s League would have a different meaning. Now with qualification in the balance .. and NL victory having no consequence on WC qualification .. will the team be up for it ?? Should R. Mancini try out different players, give more opportunities to Bastoni, Mancini, Kean, Scamacca, Raspadori etc ??
I am not making excuses but Italy always starts slow in September. Serie A starts the latest of all the leagues. With that being said the finishing of this team was horrible. Switzerland is going to tie or lose against Northern Ireland on Wednesday in Belfast.
I sure hope you are correct.
Switzerland will drop Points along the way as well.
They are completely psyching themselves out, this is getting ridiculous now. While England scorning 4 goals each in their last 2 games.
Roy agree with first comment, especially Kean, gave him a try. Thought Jorginho had his mojo back, he scored for Chelsea two weeks ago in a penalty shoot out, but I guess not for the national.
Unlike Ciro, Insigne hasn’t even played that well for club either the last two games.
Ciro wants to stay playing on the Italian team he needs to go do couple sessions with some hypnotist. He is obviously has mental block for scoring for the national team.
My friend quit smoking doing it and Ciro should give it a try.
❤️🇮🇹⚽️🏆⚽️🇮🇹⚽️🏆⚽️🇮🇹❤️
@Sammy 😁👍
@Tony Hope what you say comes true 🤞
People saying “Italy always starts slow” are talking nonsense. There was nothing slow the last game or this one. They were good at everything but finishing. That’s it. Remove Immobile. Keep Insigne on the left and find something better in the middle, whether it’s a false nine for now, or some OTHER option.
Zaniolo or Sensi should replace Barella, he is the weakest link in the team. He is good player but we need more creative player in his position.