Italian players and media see the ‘glass half full’ after a home 2-2 draw against Belgium on Thursday.
Italian media praised the national team despite last night’s 2-2 draw against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Azzurri dominated in the first half, scoring early goals with Andrea Cambiaso and Mateo Retegui, but a straight red card to Lorenzo Pellegrini drastically changed the game, especially because Belgium scored from the resulting free kick.
‘Italy is alive,’ wrote Corriere dello Sport on Friday, arguing that Italy ‘played a great game’ until Pellegrini saw red.
Tuttosport wrote that the Azzurri’s performance was ‘scintillating’ in the opening 40 minutes. The Turin-based paper added: ‘The signals are positive.’
Rai Sport pundits noted during a post-match show on Thursday that Italy made 18 consecutive passes in the build-up to Cambiaso’s first goal.
The Juventus winger also said he saw Italy’s glass ‘half full’ after last night’s draw.
Spalletti praised his players but refused to blame Pellegrini even if his red card undoubtedly changed the match.
Italy remain at the top of their Nations League group with a one-point lead over France, who they’ll meet in November at San Siro.
This coming Monday, the Azzurri will host Israel in Udine.