Jorginho’s penalty and a Domenico Berardi strike at the end of a 27-pass move allowed a makeshift Italy to beat Poland 2-0 and go top of their Nations League group.
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Jorginho’s penalty and a Domenico Berardi strike at the end of a 27-pass move allowed a makeshift Italy to beat Poland 2-0 and go top of their Nations League group.
Follow all the action as it happens and give your views on the LIVEBLOG.
The Azzurri were down to the bare bones, as 20 players pulled out through injury, COVID-19 or inconclusive swab tests. Andrea Belotti and first time captain Alessandro Florenzi passed late fitness tests, with Alessandro Bastoni getting only his second senior cap. Even coach Roberto Mancini was self-isolating at home following his positive test, so assistant manager Alberico Evani was on the bench instead.
This was a head-to-head for the top spot in Group A and with it a place in the Nations League Final Four tournament. The Netherlands had eight points (having already played), Poland seven and Italy six.
Nicolò Barella is starting to make a back-heel flick assist his trademark and it almost paid off again, setting up Federico Bernardeschi for a left-foot strike beaten away by Wojciech Szczesny.
Lorenzo Insigne had the ball in the net on Barella’s pull-back, but it was disallowed because Belotti was in an offside position and interfering with play, blocking Szczesny from getting to it.
There is no VAR in the Nations League, which is fortunate for Robert Lewandowski, who escaped punishment for an elbow on Bastoni.
VAR wasn’t necessary moments later, as Grzegorz Krychowiak had both arms wrapped around Belotti’s waist and dragged him down as a short corner was whipped in. Jorginho converted the penalty with his usual stuttering run and jump, sending Szczesny the wrong way.
Belotti came close to a stunning strike, his volley just off target from a dinked Insigne free kick, but despite dominating possession and running no risks, the Azzurri struggled to unlock the Polish defence.
The visitors made three changes at the break, including Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski, opening up the game and spaces considerably.
Barella fired wide of the near post and Insigne’s curler was deflected, while Jan Bednarek charged down a Bernardeschi scorcher. Jacek Goralski was fortunate to only get a yellow card for scything down Belotti two-footed on the touchline.
Domenico Berardi came on and immediately volleyed not far wide from the edge of the box, but there was more controversy when Locatelli found Belotti in the box and his shot was charged down by a dangling Bednarek hand that was not in a natural position.
Poland went down to 10 men, as Goralski’s multiple fouls added up to a second yellow card on Belotti.
Italy continued to dominate and push, but wasted their chances, as Bartosz Bereszynski flung himself in the way of Emerson’s shot like a human shield when sent clear by Barella.
The Azzurri did eventually get a second with a well-worked team move and 27 passes in the build-up. Insigne’s slide-rule pass split the Polish defence to find Berardi down the right, he cut inside and fired low into the near bottom corner. It was fitting that the Sassuolo player should score in his home stadium.
Italy 2-0 Poland
Jorginho pen 27 (I), Berardi 84 (I)
Italy: G Donnarumma; Florenzi (Di Lorenzo 89), Acerbi, Bastoni, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli; Bernardeschi (Berardi 64), Belotti (Okaka 79), Insigne (El Shaarawy 89)
Poland: Szczesny; Bereszynski, Glik, Bednarek, Reca; Krychowiak, Moder (Goralski 46); Szymanski (Zielinski 46), Linetty (Milik 74), Jozwiak (Grosicki 46); Lewandowski
Ref: Turpin (FRA)
Sent off: Goralski 77 (P)