La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights that Davide Frattesi nullified Oleksandr Zinchenko in Italy’s win over Ukraine and reveals Mykhailo Mudryk probably didn’t start against the Azzurri because he’s still not fully fit.
Luciano Spalletti secured his first win as Italy’s coach on Tuesday, beating Ukraine 2-1 at San Siro.
It was a key game for the Azzurri who have now climbed to second place in Group C, level on seven points with Ukraine and North Macedonia, but with a game in hand.
Davide Frattesi was the undisputed man of the match, inspiring Italy’s win with a brace. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport’s journalist Fabio Licari, the Inter midfielder ‘nullified’ Zinchenko although the Arsenal midfielder ‘improved’ in the second half.
Licari noted that Zinchenko played ‘differently’ at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and is more creative at Arsenal. The Ukraine international was deployed in central midfield last night.
Chelsea’s Mudryk started on the bench but was introduced in the second half. “Probably he had not recovered from an injury, so Rebrov introduced him in the second half,” noted Licardi.
“Mudryk scared the Azzurri with two sprints, he was fast as usual, but not consistent.”
Italy will play two more games in October, against Malta at home and England away. Only the top two teams in the group go straight to Euro 2024, but Italy also have a playoff spot granted having reached the Nations League Final Four.