Italy midfielder Davide Frattesi explains how club football with Inter influenced his finish against Ukraine and gives his views on the controversial penalty call. ‘It doesn’t seem that clear to me.’
The Azzurri knew a point would be enough to secure their place at the EURO 2024 tournament next summer and that is what they got on neutral turf in Leverkusen, drawing 0-0.
Among the best chances of the game went to Frattesi, who was denied one-on-one by Anatoliy Trubin.
“I did think about a dink, but then I remembered when we faced Benfica in the Champions League that Trubin always came flying out with his legs spread, so I tried to put it under his legs. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the angles right,” the Inter midfielder told RAI Sport.
Frattesi’s two goals allowed Italy to beat Ukraine 2-1 at San Siro in September, which gave them the superior head-to-head record.
“We knew that if we were unable to break the deadlock in the first hour, it would become really tough. Ukraine then made it a more physical match, we were under pressure, but overall it was a good performance. What mattered was qualifying.”
There was a huge scare in stoppages when Bryan Cristante appeared to catch Mykhailo Mudryk in the penalty area, but both the referee and VAR waved play on.
“It doesn’t seem that clear to me. From one angle it looks like he touched him, from the other they barely grazed each other.”
A win here would’ve bumped Italy up to Pot 3 in the draw for the EURO 2024 group phase, but as things stand they seem to be in Pot 4.
“We are Italy, we are the reigning Champions and will got there trying to repeat something fantastic,” concluded Frattesi.