Federico Chiesa was named MVP in Italy v Bulgaria by every sports paper in Italy, but three Azzurri failed to live up to expectations.
Italy returned to action after their European triumph but were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Bulgaria in a World Cup Qualifying match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.
Federico Chiesa broke the deadlock after just 20 minutes, but Ascoli striker Petrov Iliev levelled the scores just before halftime.
World Cup Qualifiers: Italy held by Bulgaria, but Azzurri equal Spain and Brazil record
Chiesa was named MVP by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tuttosport and Il Corriere dello Sport. “It feels like he played the Wembley Final just yesterday,” wrote the pink paper.
“He opened the score and almost got a second one. Sometimes he’d need more creativity, but he is absolutely vital for Italy.”
Milan defender Alessandro Florenzi was not as convincing as he is considered one of the responsible players for Bulgaria’s goal.
The 30-year-old slipped as Kiril Despodov skipped past him down the left flank, delivering the assist for Iliev, who surprised Francesco Acerbi by cutting in front of him.
Marco Verratti also failed to live up to expectations and was rated 5.5 by Tuttosport and La Gazzetta dello Sport and 5 by Il Corriere dello Sport.
Italy player ratings v Bulgaria
Gazzetta dello Sport: Donnarumma 6; Florenzi 5 (64′ Toloi 6), Bonucci 6, Acerbi 5, Emerson Palmieri 6 (91′ Pellegrini N/A); Barella 6 (64′ Cristante 6), Jorginho 6.5, Verratti 5.5; Chiesa 7, Immobile 5.5 (74′ Raspadori N/A), Insigne 5 (74′ Berardi N/A). Coach: Mancini 5.5
Corriere dello Sport: Donnarumma 6; Florenzi 5.5 (64′ Toloi 6), Bonucci 6.5, Acerbi 5.5, Emerson Palmieri 6 (91′ Pellegrini N/A); Barella 5.5 (64′ Cristante 6), Jorginho 6, Verratti 5; Chiesa 7, Immobile 5.5 (74′ Raspadori N/A), Insigne 5.5 (74′ Berardi N/A). Coach: Mancini 6
Tuttosport: Donnarumma 6; Florenzi 5 (64′ Toloi 5.5), Bonucci 6, Acerbi 5, Emerson Palmieri 6 (91′ Pellegrini N/A); Barella 6.5 (64′ Cristante 6), Jorginho 6, Verratti 5.5; Chiesa 7, Immobile 5.5 (74′ Raspadori N/A), Insigne 5.5 (74′ Berardi N/A). Coach: Mancini 6