The Italian papers praise Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli after the 0-0 draw between Switzerland and Italy, while the criticism continues for Ciro Immobile and Jorginho is voted the worst of the game.
The Azzurri continued with a second straight draw against Switzeland in the World Cup Qualifiers but maintained their run of 36 competitive games unbeaten.
La Gazzetta dello Sport believes Locatelli was the best player of the game and pointed fingers at Immobile once again.
The newspaper claims Locatelli proved he is ‘an additional starter’ for the Azzurri midfield despite ‘not being a classical playmaker. The report highlights his ‘vision of the game, disciplined feet’ and ‘how he never backs down in the duels’.
Immobile however, had another difficult game with the national side and La Gazzetta dello Sport thinks he ‘risks getting depressed’ and pointed out that ‘at some point he even stops fighting’.
Jorginho missed a penalty and La Gazzetta dello Sport believes he lost too many balls and highlighted the second straight penalty miss.
Locatelli was praised by Tuttosport as well, as the former Sassuolo midfielder replaced Marco Verratti in the side. The Turin based newspaper believes he is starting to show ‘the form of Juventus’ with a ‘great performance’ for the Azzurri.
Jorginho is named the worst player of the game by Tuttosport, claiming the Brazilian-born midfielder was ‘rough and less fluid than usual’.
“As in London, the curse from the penalty spot: poorly taken penalty for the turning point,” the report reads.
Il Corriere dello Sport agree with Tuttorsport when naming Locatelli the MVP of the match in Basel, with Jorginho the worst on the pitch in the World Cup Qualifier.
“Misses the penalty, feels the blow and leaves the game,” the Roman newspaper writes, but underlined the ‘very good’ performance of Locatelli.
La Gazzetta dello Sport
Locatelli: 7
Immobile: 4,5
Jorginho: 5
Tuttosport:
Locatelli: 6,5
Immobile: 5
Jorginho: 4,5
Il Corriere dello Sport
Locatelli: 7
Immobile: 6
Jorginho: 5
Locatelli deserved more than a 7. He would have had several assists last night if our forwards had an ounce of composure.
Even I am now getting fed up with Ciro. I always wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt but now no more. If only Scamanca could have more time play with Sassuolo, I would go for him. Yes, he is a bit of hot headed so needs to calm down to avoid being sent off. The other option, why not go for the false 9. Bernadeschi and Chiesa could do this role. Even Raspadori could get the nod. We just need to be more committed in the last 20 yards and things could easily change. Di Lorenzo had said the truth, we are creating, we are just not putting it in. Berardi should have scored and I am afraid Jorginho needs to have other options when taking penalties and every keeper has now sussed him out.
@tonino. They tried a false nine that game and it was terrible.
I agree with one of your points Tonino. Italy currently does not have a CF who they can trust game in game out to put the ball in the net with one chance, therefore I think going with a false nine could be the answer in keeping defenders guessing and putting our chances in the back of the net.
Christian Vieri was a bull! I miss that type of CF who would just power his way through defenders to goal. He was so strong in the air too. Why does it take decades before the next one comes along?
Jorghino needs a break .. has played too many matches!
Immobile is a disaster. Shouldn’t even be on the bench. Why does Mancini continue to play him?
Locatelli deserves atleast an 8 rating!
The reason Italy has no strikers is because they are like crabs in a basket, they get jealous of stars, people that stand out, they try bring them down. So the youth system isn’t producing them.
That’s the reason strikers always have to be foreigners in Serie A. The last 15 years only strikers Italy’ produced have been non native Italians, mostly African descent, who are more oblivious.
Watch Ciro after a missed opportunity.
Will always hand assist his front hair locks back.
All I know when I need a hair cut, I feel uncomfortable.
The world class players have found the “Key”.
Worth trying.
Worth trying.
Vieri is the last great striker played for Italy. Toni and Pelle did well in their short stints. They might not get a lot of goals but they can hold off the ball well. Immobile on the other hand has poor first touch and a very bad quick short pass. His quick 1-2 miss 99% of the time. I think it is OK to try to score from distance. Can’t understand he scores loads for Lazio. As for Belotti, he needs to leave Torino. They both work really hard but they are mediocre for what they are supposed to do.
It appears that keepers have figured out how effectively neutralize Jorghino’s hop penalty technique. Sommer basically faked his move to his left, and then dove in the opposite direction to meet Jorghino’s underpowered strike. Effectively using his technique of making the keeper move first against him. He will have to start to mix up his penalty technique to stay effective.
The penalty was a disaster. The ‘tap in’ penalty has been wheel found out by now. Immobile should have taken the penalty. He probably would have scored.
Too much confidence in qualifying when the Swiss have more than half of their qualifiers to play amd we are almost finished ours.
Frustrated beyond belief with the last 2 matches.