Italy’s journey in the World Cup qualifiers started in the worst possible way, with the Azzurri losing 3-0 in Norway and looking tragically similar to the team eliminated at the Euros last summer.
Donnarumma 6 – One save at the near post in the opening minutes. Couldn’t do much to avoid Norway’s goals.
Di Lorenzo 4 – The whole defensive department was disjointed, and Di Lorenzo made way too many wrong decisions. It must be pretty clear now that he may not be a good fit in a three-man defence.
Coppola 5 – Given the toughest possible debut against Haaland. The Verona defender won almost all duels, but was too focused on the Manchester City star when Norway scored the second, with Nusa finding too much space down the middle.
Bastoni 4 – Another nightmare night. Kept Sorloth in play for Norway’s first goal. He was on the pitch for Inter less than a week ago in the Champions League Final. Saw his teams concede eight times in the last two games. Surely can’t wait for the end of the season, but there’s still a Club World Cup to play with Inter.
Zappacosta 4.5 – He was never dangerous on the right flank and sometimes left the Azzurri exposed. (72′ Orsolini 5.5)
Barella 4.5 – Exhausted, like most Italian players.
Rovella 4 – Too weak defensively, good passing accuracy (95% via Sofascore), but all at a terribly slow tempo. (46′ Frattesi 5)
Tonali 4.5 – Not sure if he should have played as a playmaker or box-to-box midfielder. The Newcastle star looked confused, but surely wasn’t the only one.
Udogie 4.5 – Not a single accurate cross, wasn’t always quite sure on whether to attack or defend. (83′ Dimarco N/A)
Raspadori 4.5 – Tried to link up the play, but lacked quality and speed. (83′ Ricci N/A)
Retegui 4.5 – He always played with his back to the goal, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. (72′ Lucca N/A)
Coach: Spalletti 3 – The first shot on target was from Lucca at minute 92. An empty team. The Azzurri maintained possession, but only because the opponents allowed us to do so. Italy were slow with and without the ball, and most worryingly, they didn’t show any reaction. Too similar to the performance against Switzerland at the Euros.
Norway: Nyland 6; Ryerson 7, Ajer 7.5, Heggem 7 (71′ Ostigard 6.5), Moller Wolfe 7.5 (75′ Pedersen 6.5); Odegaard 8.5, Berge 7.5, Thorsby 7.5 (46′ Berg 7), Nusa 9 (75′ Bobb 6.5); Sorloth 8 (83′ Larsen N/A), Haaland 8. Coach: Solbakken 8.
Please tell me Spalletti is gone after this performance
It’s time to go Spaletti. The WC is already over we now need a manager to take a squad to the next Euros.
You 5imply cannot per5i5t trying to play like 5pain when you don’t have the players. That’s why this team has zero identity. You cannot be something you are not.
Awful performance, worse than Switzerland at the euros, Spalletti has had enough time now, Ventura had too much pride & went all the way to disaster we cannot afford to make the same mistake!
Spalletti should never have been chosen as CT. I hope he will be shown the door after this humiliation…but knowing how Italy is slow to react I’m sure they will keep him until it’s too late
As a matter of fact Dollarumma could’ve done a lot more on the Norway opener, but main culprit was Bastoni after that horrible long ball and then keeping the striker onside. Nightmare stuff.
People think Bastoni is underrated. Actually he and Di lorezno were worse defenders I\ve seen in last 45 years.
You played only the first game in this qualification and should have plenty of time to improve.
Everyone deserves a zero rating.
With the weakest defenders, how dare play 352?
Bastoni is highly rated not because of defense and he’s no leader.
2/3 players r mediocre or below.
Think may be time to accept that not qualifying for the World Cup is something normal and that when we do qualify it is simply to make up the numbers (with all due respects like Greece, Hungary, Czech, etc)
The entire Federation needs removing along with the CT. The players aren’t to blame, the CT picks mediocre players to represent the blue shirt. Once a feared nation, now a complete laughing stock thanks Spalletti
I pity most players. After a long season they have to play in an unfamiliar formation in this squad setup.
And it’s obvious the coach has no plan for them.
Retegui upfront with nothing to work with, no support.
Di Lorenzo is no full back, playing Coppola in his first game against Haaland, Zappacosta paired with GdL? So many dumb decisions.