The analysis of Italy against England: what doesn’t work – Corriere.it

NAPLES A Garibaldian time is not enough as a justification. England went on from the Wembley final, while Italy stopped, overwhelmed by its technical and psychological problems. The uphill restart and if true that we will play in June the Nations League Finals for the second time in a row, just as we can no longer afford mistakes on the way to Euro 2024.

The qualifiers have just begun and Italy already has water at its throat: you have to finish second and avoid the guillotine of the playoffs, guaranteed precisely by the brilliant path in the Nations. Mancini, during the flight to Malta, tried to figure out what went wrong. Because the team, after an encouraging start, left the field free for the English, except to get back into the game when things were compromised.

Approximate defense

Mancini, outside Bastoni and Bonucci, had to throw the Toloi-Acerbi couple which together, with the line of four, had never played. And the results have not been very encouraging. The coach, lost Chiellini, who flew to Los Angeles and after the European won said goodbye to the blue shirt, had remained glued to Bonucci, but the Juventus player is experiencing a complicated season. A leader is missing to take over the department. Romagnoli was rescued but not convincing, Gatti plays little for Juve and hasn’t even been called up, Scalvini could have a chance on Sunday but the coach sees him better in midfield. For the next few times, the coach will study Baschirotto from Lecce.

You need the head

The Italy of the double play was overwhelmed by England. In the first half our midfield, on paper the best department, the one spared by the emergency, had to withstand the impact and with the strength of the dribble give check to the Southgate gang. Instead Jorginho collapsed and not the first time. After a glittering European Championship, it was no longer the usual, maybe he can’t get over the disappointment of the two missed penalties against Switzerland, one in the first leg and the other in the second leg, which condemned us to the play-offs and then to watch the World Cup in Qatar from television. The midfield of the three tenors sunk: Barella, nervous like with Inter and bruised, was replaced and after the match he raised the white flag and returned to Milan. Verratti grew up as far away as Italy did, but didn’t get one right in the first half. Maybe Cristante’s physicality is needed, while in perspective Mancio cultivates Samuele Ricci del Toro. Tonali will be the starter against Malta, Locatelli fished out in the next round of waltz.

The outsiders

We are without forwards, but Mateo Retegui, in his first game and with only three group training sessions, showed us something. Especially the goal. But it was above all the wingers who sank on the night of Maradona. In the end, Mancini confessed: More energy is needed, they have to jump the man more often and try the lunge to improve the offensive phase. Berardi rejected, so and so Pellegrini, who has the great merit of having provided the assist to Retegui. Better the vivacity of Politano and that of Willy Gnonto, more and more blue revelation.

The head over the legs

How the national team imploded. The missing World Cup took away joy, light-heartedness, lightness. Lacks enthusiasm and the desire to take risks. England’s goal plunged us back into chaos and it was only after the break, when the situation was desperate and Southgate’s team had failed to score 3-0, that the Azzurri managed to shake things up. Too late to get the game back on its feet. Let’s hope it’s the starting point because the situation in the group is already complicated and in Malta, where last time we struggled against Conte and only won 1-0, we can’t go wrong.