Nicolò Barella and Gianluca Mancini were among Italy’s best players against North Macedonia, according to Italian sports papers, while Matteo Politano, Gigio Donnarumma and Nicolò Zaniolo received low ratings.
The Azzurri were held to a 1-1 draw by North Macedonia in Skopie on Saturday in Luciano Spalletti’s debut as Italy coach.
Ciro Immobile’s opener in the second half was cancelled out by an Enis Bardhi free kick with nine minutes remaining. Italian sports papers on Sunday blamed Gigio Donnarumma for North Macedonia’s equaliser as the PSG keeper conceded at his near post.
Zaniolo’s performance was also not impressive. The Aston Villa loanee was introduced after the break, but caused the free-kick leading to North Macedonia’s equaliser. Tuttosport wrote that Zaniolo didn’t show the right attitude and was ‘sloppy’ when he entered the pitch in the second half.
Matteo Politano, the player Zaniolo had replaced, was disappointing too and received the lowest ratings from Italian sports papers.
On the other hand, Barella and Immobile were among the best players on the pitch on Sunday. They both contributed to Italy’s only goal as the Inter midfielder hit the crossbar with a volley and Immobile was at the right place at the right time to find the net with a header at the far post.
Italy ratings from sports papers
La Gazzetta dello Sport
Donnarumma 5.5; Di Lorenzo 5, Mancini 6 (59′ Scalvini 6), Bastoni 6, Dimarco 6 (82′ Biraghi N/A); Barella 6.5, Cristante 5.5, Tonali 5.5 (89′ Raspadori N/A); Politano 4.5 (46′ Zaniolo 5.5), Immobile 6, Zaccagni 5 (82′ Gnonto N/A). Coach: Spalletti 5.5.
Il Corriere dello Sport
Donnarumma 5; Di Lorenzo 5.5, Mancini 6.6 (59′ Scalvini 6), Bastoni 6, Dimarco 5.5 (82′ Biraghi N/A); Barella 6, Cristante 6, Tonali 5.5 (89′ Raspadori N/A); Politano 5 (46′ Zaniolo 6), Immobile 6, Zaccagni 5.5 (82′ Gnonto N/A). Coach: Spalletti 5.5.
Tuttosport
Donnarumma 5; Di Lorenzo 6, Mancini 6 (59′ Scalvini 5.5), Bastoni 6, Dimarco 6 (82′ Biraghi N/A); Barella 6.5, Cristante 5, Tonali 6.5 (89′ Raspadori N/A); Politano 5 (46′ Zaniolo 5), Immobile 6, Zaccagni 5.5 (82′ Gnonto N/A). Coach: Spalletti 5.5.
Mancini best player ? If that was actually true Italy would REALLY be in trouble!
I am very happy with the performance if not the scoreline , mancini and bastoni should be allowed to grow , but with Competition from Angelo ogbonna and arcerbi, on the wings chiesa and CASEDEI should be allowed to contend with ,with the others ,BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY , FRATESSI,SENI AND PELLEGRINI SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO RIVAL TINALI AND BARRELLA , christante is untouchable for now .but locateli should be his rival or they play together when Italy needs to defend .
Maignan > Donnarumma. And all Milan fans can admit that one real fast.