The new Italy era began with a very creditable 1-1 draw against Germany, as Lorenzo Pellegrini’s goal was cancelled out by Joshua Kimmich, but 18-year-old Wilfried Gnonto made a dream debut with an assist.
The Azzurri were decimated by injuries and sent many veterans home to rest, as the new era began with the Nations League at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna. There were 10 changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Argentina in the Finalissima, including debutant Davide Frattesi.
Serge Gnabry stung Gianluigi Donnarumma’s gloves at the near post and Alessandro Florenzi charged down Thomas Muller’s shot, while Manuel Neuer had to smother at the feet of Gianluca Scamacca.
Italy went close on 35 minutes, first with Frattesi drilling wide, then Scamacca’s daisy-cutter from distance smacked against the base of the far post.
Goretzka was blocked off from getting the shot away from a promising position and Gnabry fired over as the move continued.
At the dawn of the second half, Scamacca’s glancing header whistled just wide, then the Sassuolo striker threaded through for Sandro Tonali, who was denied by Neuer diving onto the ball in the six-yard box.
Scamacca’s acrobatic over-head kick was blocked by Neuer on the line and Matteo Politano’s curler was deflected inches wide of the far top corner of the net.
Politano went off injured, giving 18-year-old Willy Gnonto his senior Italy debut, who made an immediate impact by whipping a low ball in from the right for Pellegrini to tap in at the back post just five minutes later.
The lead did not last long, as it hit Timo Werner, the ball fell to Joshua Kimmich to fire in the rebound from 10 yards. Although it struck Werner’s arm, it was on a ricochet from point-blank range and his arm was in a natural position.
Ilkay Gundogan tested Donnarumma with a snapshot, then the goalkeeper made a double save to fingertip a cross off the head of Gnabry and parry the Kimmich follow-up.
Matteo Cancellieri and Samuele Ricci were also given debuts, but Donnarumma needed a late save on a counter-attack in stoppages and fingertipped a corner off Antonio Rudiger’s head. The goalkeeper hurt his wrist during that move and was in agony receiving treatment after the final whistle.
Italy 1-1 Germany
Pellegrini 70 (I), Kimmich 73 (G)
Italy: Donnarumma; Florenzi, Acerbi, Bastoni, Biraghi (Dimarco 80); Frattesi (Ricci 85), Cristante, Tonali (Pobega 80); Politano (Gnonto 65), Scamacca (Cancellieri 85), Pellegrini
Germany: Neuer; Kehrer, Sule, Rudiger, Henrichs (Hofmann 59); Kimmich, Goretzka (Gundogan 69); Gnabry (Raum 80), Muller (Havertz 70), Sane (Musiala 59); Werner
Ref: Jovanovic (SRB)
It’s the way to go hopefully these players keep getting better
This is what Mancini should have done immediately post European cup. Thrown in younger and hungrier players to keep the level of the squad high and to fill in any weaknesses as they went along.
Then when it’s a big game you bring back the definite starters and then plug in the new guys into positions that they have rightfully won. All of a sudden you have a better and hungry team. What a pity.
How could mancini pick di lorenzo, emerson, jorghino belotti and bernardeschi against argentina? Absolutely scandalous
Next match, please introduce Alessio Zerbin; he is another talent. It would be very pleasing to see Daniele Ghilardi in the senior squad; he is the most talented defender since Cannavaro and Nesta retired — Please call him.
Bravo raggazzi
Forza Italia!!!
Agree with Stefano and Rico
With the correct adjustments removing IMMOBILE INSIGNE JORGINHO DI LORENZO from the starting 11 and squad, starting Bastoni and then dropping fringe players like ACERBI FLORENZI PESSINA BERNADESCHI BELOTTI we’d have had a better squad and line up than the euros at this World Cup. Never mind. This World Cup was there for the taking complacency from Mancini cost us.
Let’s hope he becomes ruthless and drops everyone over 26 and over apart from Verratti and Spinazzola I wouldn’t mind Balotelli as an option also. The rest need to go.
Bastoni is solid should have been Paried with mancini all in all very good. Scamacca should play every game forward as he grew into the game and his hold up play is what italy need allowing wingers and midfielders to move up.
I am glad to read at last better comments on Italia. Future is bright but we need to keep our heads firmly on the ground. Lets not forget Germany fielded their first 11.
I have to say, I was extremely impressed with this match. Scamacca was sensational with his hold up and link up play, far ahead of Immobile. All we need now from him is goals, and he should be our #9 as often as possible going forward. Pellegrini unsurprisingly fantastic. Bastoni fairly solid, but I wish he was paired with Mancini instead of Acerbi. When everyone is fit I think a midfield three of Verratti, Barella and Tonali is ideal. Politano surprised me with his quality.
Imagine a midfield of: Verratti,Barella,Tonali.
And a trident attack of Pellegrini,Scamaca,Chiesa.
🙂
Largo ai giovani !
We have talent. Always have, always will.
This is on Serie A Owners (more than half are non-Italian) who don’t bring along Italian players.
This is why we struggle to put together a team of players at a high level.
Mancio has to navigate this properly.
Well Mancini did not have to invent players did he? These kids can play, that was a very entertaining game with lots of enthusiasm. 18 years old, are you kidding me, he was fantastic. That game made my day.
Well Said @joe del monte. And agree with @Stefano
Where are the sky is falling critics like Primo Calcio and Frank?
I’m so happy to see these positive comments on our youth, that’s what you want to see! Can’t wait to see how these players evolve.
Specially the attack with Pellegrini,Scamaca,Chiesa
To think that POS Jorginho thought he was in the running for the Ballon D’Or.
😳
Many of us are mad at Berardi, but he will be back with this team.
As for Verratti, he might as well continue on. If he ever gets dropped it’s clear it will be due to injury.
Spina and Di Marco as our Left Backs.
I saw an improvement for the national team. Mancini started and well done.
They could win the game though, but well done..
Let’s applaud today’s effort by our beloved Azzurri! It’s safe to say that they made us proud on this day. This is definitely the way forward. Like a couple of you already mentioned earlier, when we get Chiesa back 100% and out him in that trident with Scamacca and Pellegrini, look out. Gnonto was very impressive too! Let’s not forget, we also have Zaniolo too. I was impressed by Politano and Frattesi as well. I would definitely remove Acerbi and pair Bastoni with either Mancini or perhaps another youngster from the U-21 squad. I think it’s time to say goodbye to Immobile and Belotti while we’re at it. I say let’s roll with Scamacca and if need be, we can experiment with a false nine formation thanks to our versatile wingers. The future is very bright! Let’s always support our guys! Forza Azzurri!
Well done Azzuri I think that’s what Machini should have done before a meeting with Argentina!! Italy has plenty of talented young stars who just need to be given a chance to play constantly in order to grow, just like what we saw yesterday! Scamacca played like a real star with confidence going forward. He even reminds me of Brazil’s Rivaldo because of his look alike. He now just needs to have consistency, and should be pair with Chiesa, Zaniolo, pellegrini or Mario Balotelli! That would cause opponents to panic for sure .Those would be the fantastic front destroyers of any defense. Balotelli should be there to support those young stars to learn from him how he dribbles ,shoots from a distance to the sleeping goal keepers and trickeries to cause penalties. Other players to be there are Beraldi, Marco verrati Spinazzola,the Speedy Lazzari is all what the Azzuri squad needs! And insigne is still able to boost the new youngsters. With all those players why can’t Italy retain the Euro Trophy and later go on to lift the World Cup for a Fifth time?? That’s possible with no any single doubt!
Italian teams should trust in the young Italian talent more often. Less of the aging semi retired has beens on bloated salaries. We all understand that there has to be a mix of player from experienced to youthful but surely clubs need to take note of the young talent avaliable and allow it to grow at home and abroad!
It’s encouraging the youngsters made a good impression against the German armada. Really happy Mancini took the risk here.
It’s the way forward. Don’t count too much on the ones that won the euro, unless they deserve it on the field. Which most of them haven’t for the last year.
Instead, make the youth play, even if they don’t get a chance in stupid Serie A. Make it a statement. I think most people will cheer up for a young team full of hunger and enthousiam, even if it has no experience yet. And even if they sometimes fail big time.
Politano is the ideal winger double footed shooter and fast hopefully he is not injured. VEry slippery crossed the ball to scamacca who misqued. Politano should be new starter with scamaaca and when chiesa fit should be entertaining
I wonder how Italy somehow won the Euro defeat by S. Macedonia, so Argentina is not clear to me