The first day of the Nations League offered us a nice derby between France and Italy. If the match was to be a formality for the Blues against the Azzurri in the grip of doubt, Italy played an almost perfect match to roll over the French team (1-3). All the Italian newspapers were inflamed on Friday evening after the match. The Sports Gazette headlined “Mamma, what an Italy!”, while the Corriere dello Sport opted for an effective “To drive you crazy”. As for Tuttosportthe Turin media simply summed it up as “A great Italy”. If our neighbours on the other side of Mont Blanc are reacting in this way, it is also because the nation has been rebuilding for several months with the hope of pocketing a benchmark match in style thanks to new elements. And it is largely for this reason that Luciano Spalletti called up young faces during this break, notably Marco Brescianini, Samuele Ricci, Raoul Bellanova, Caleb Okoli, Destiny Udogie and Andrea Cambiaso. Some were even starters against the Blues this Friday evening at the Parc des Princes.
At the final whistle, French coach Didier Deschamps did not mince his words and acknowledged Italy’s superiority: “We have to be factual, we started very well, we did some good things in the first few minutes, but we didn’t have the ability to keep up the pace throughout the match. The opponents got us through mistakes on our part and that hurt us. We have the quality, we do some good things with the ball, but defensively, they hurt us.”. Nevertheless, it is clear that very few people, even the most assiduous followers of Calcio, expected to see the Nazionale dominate and mistreat the Blues to this extent in Paris, while being behind in the score from the 13th second. However, Luciano Spalletti’s tactical recipe made a big difference this Friday evening at the Parc des Princes. The Italian team was not the most talented on the pitch, but certainly the best prepared and the one that produced the most beautiful football.
The Nazionale rises from its ashes!
The golden age of Gattuso, Totti, Del Piero, Pirlo, Buffon and other transalpine legends seems a long time ago. It is no secret that our Italian friends are going through a generational low despite the nice Euro 2021 trophy won. After being eliminated in the round of 16 against Switzerland in the last European Championship, the Italian coach wanted to take advantage of this international break to throw in some new elements by bringing a large dose of collective spirit: “Everyone reacted immediately, tried to give the team peace. They played the game they had to play, they were doubly good. It is always the possibility of doing better. The important thing was to stay on the pitch as a team. After the initial injury, we had double mental strength, the tension makes you make a mistake and everything goes crazy. Everyone reacted immediately and played the game they had to play. The European Championship is now in the past and there is the possibility of recreating something beautiful. It creates infinite sensations. After the goal, I saw them make important decisions, admiring a team with a great personality“, Luciano Spalletti first analyzed.
It should be noted that France had not conceded 3 goals against Italy since April 11, 1954. This date also marks France’s last home defeat against Italy in Colombes. But to tame the Blues so easily at the Parc des Princes, much more was needed as ingredients. Aligning a three-man midfield was a masterful decision by Spalletti. France had not lost after scoring in the first minute of play since June 2, 1978 against Italy. The young Samuele Ricci had an extraordinary match. The return of Sandro Tonali to the competition brought a touch of talent and obvious technique, while Davide Frattesi played the perfect free electron. Despite the absences of Jorginho and Nicolo Barella, the Italian midfield literally outclassed the French duo of Youssouf Fofana and N’Golo Kanté. The two men had a very complicated evening.
“Even after losing one or two games I will not change my mind, I think I am dealing with 20 strong players who can play as a team like tonight and who can show something important even against top teams like France, there is nothing that can destroy you more than your mental. We were doubly good for having had this reaction after conceding this early goal and for staying in the game. In addition to the goals, we made many important moves, tonight we were giants against our opponents. The boys knew how to adapt, they fought and gave their courage, showing important things physically against beasts like the French players“, continued the former Napoli coach. Even the tactical changes changed everything, Giacomo Raspadori installed greater offensive versatility by entering the game at half-time. Alessandro Buongiorno thickened the defense to maintain the lead. Destiny Udogie relied on his speed to dominate Jonathan Clauss a little more. It was with a masterful collective performance that the Squadra Azzurra found its beautiful colors in style. All of Europe is impressed by Italy this weekend!
