Italy had an evening to neglect on Sunday as they suffered a 3-1 defeat by the hands of France of their closing UEFA Nations League group recreation. France went forward on the San Siro after simply two minutes when midfielder Adrien Rabiot met Lucas Digne’s nook.
The guests then doubled their lead after 33 minutes when Digne’s free-kick then hit the crossbar and rebounded in off Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Andrea Cambiaso’s cushioned volley moments later gave the hosts hope, however Rabiot and Digne linked up once more after half-time to seal victory for the Azzurri, this time the Marseille midfielder heading in a Digne free-kick.
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He is setting an instance for his teammates.
The defeat was Italy’s largest at dwelling in a aggressive recreation since 1983, and noticed them forfeit the highest spot of their Nations League group to France on aim distinction. It implies that heading into the quarter-finals, France can be seeded and Italy is not going to.
Talking after the match, Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti said: “We noticed some good issues tonight too, however clearly this defeat creates some issues by way of confidence.”
Whereas Rabiot and Digne each definitely caught the attention for Les Bleus, it was keeper Vicario who did so for the Azzurri, albeit for the mistaken causes. All three of the objectives Vicario conceded on the evening had been from set-pieces, which has develop into a worrying behavior for the Tottenham Hotspur star in latest occasions.
Vicario additionally conceded from a set-piece in Italy’s 4-1 win over Israel final month, whereas for Spurs final season, he conceded a minimum of 16 occasions in the identical method.
On account of his failures at set-plays in opposition to France, Vicario was named the worst player on the pitch by Couch Rating, whereas he additionally got here under fire from a number of international journalists.
“Thought Donnarumma was unhealthy at leaving his line however Vicario’s issues on set items are unimaginable,” wrote reporter Siavoush Fallahi on X/Twitter.
Carlo Garganese of The Italian Soccer Podcast was even harsher: “The final SIX objectives Italy have conceded have been off set items. Italy have an excellent group of centre backs – all of them nice aerially – and Italy can not defend crosses & set items 1 aggressive clear sheet in a yr. That’s on Spalletti. P.S. Vicario can’t play once more for Italy.”
Deschamps pleased with Nations League success
France had been with out Kylian Mbappe for the win over Italy, with supervisor Didier Deschamps having opted to go away the Actual Madrid ahead out of his squad for his facet’s closing spherical of Nations League video games.
In Mbappe’s absence, Deschamps performed a entrance three of Marcus Thuram, Randal Kolo Muani, and Christopher Nkunku, whereas teenager Bradley Barcola additionally got here off the bench.
Talking after the match, Deschamps explained how he was delighted along with his ahead line.
“It wanted a little bit of every little thing to win tonight,” he stated. “I believe utilizing three strikers was decisive to assist additionally defend nicely and create issues for Italy.”
