The dream of the Italian national team at Euro2022 is shattered against Belgium. In a match from inside or outside, Milena Bertolini’s girls are defeated by the Red Flames 1-0 and close the group on the lowest step with only one point on the abacus. It was the 49th minute, when the sky above the Manchester City Academy Stadium turns black: free kick in the blue area of Belgium, the ball hides between a forest of legs to come out on the left of De Caigny who leaves no way out for Giuliani.
After a first half in which Italy was unable to break the quality of the Belgians in dribbling, the assault in the second half was not enough, stopped by a pole centered by Girelli and by the saves of an insuperable Evrard on the repeating conclusions of Giacinti and Bonansea. Italy abandons the Europeans, aware of having done everything.
“We lost a match that we didn’t deserve to lose – commented coach Bertolini bitterly – Tonight the girls gave what they had. We could have deserved something more. Perhaps what was missing is the tranquility, but tonight the girls played and did well. It was an important experience for us that will make us grow and make us stronger. We turn the page trying not to repeat mistakes, analyzing the negative things and treasuring the positive ones “.
In the most important match of the group, Milena Bertolini shuffles the cards on the table once again. In front of Giuliani, firmly between the posts, the absence of captain Sara Gama stands out in the defense line, detected by Bartoli, a central bulwark with Linari, while Di Guglielmo and Boattin shuttle back and forth on the outer lanes. In the middle, confirmation for the Bergamaschi trio, Rosucci, Simonetti, with the new Giugliano in place of Caruso. Forward, confidence from the first minute in Bonansea, in support of Girelli, after the excellent impact in the second half against Iceland. Italy immediately aggressive and, after less than a minute of play, already has the opportunity to take the lead: mistake by the Belgian rearguard, Girelli flies off on the counterattack, unloads his right foot from the edge, but Evrard saves himself in the corner. The reaction of the Belgians is not long in coming and at 6 ‘and 9’ they become dangerous first with Eurlings (right stop and conclusion just outside) and then with Dhont, caught from the left by Wullaert, but Giuliani blocks in a high grip.
As the minutes go by, the push of the Azzurre fades, Belgium conquers meters in midfield, dangerously pushing Italy back into their own half. At 18 ‘, an attempt by Giugliano with a solution from the outside, but the ball flies over the intersection to the left of Evrard. At 25 ‘, the Azzurre still try to give the right break: Rosucci’s filter for Bonansea’s insertion into the area who adjusts the ball on the left, but the conclusion hits the outside of the net. At half an hour, the cooling break and the usual indications send back a more aggressive and determined Italy to take advantage of the flanks and it is precisely from the right side lane that the greatest dangers for the Belgians arise, with the crossings of Bonansea and Di Guglielmo who, however, do not find luck. Italy insists and in the 41st minute they have the clearest opportunity of the match to pass: cross-shot from the inside right of Bonansea’s area on the far post, Evrard stretches and dirties with his fingertips, sending Girelli empty. in tow. In the final, the Azzurre complain for a touch of the hand in the Cayman area, but the Croatian whistle, Martinčić, signals to continue. We go to the locker room with nothing, and France lead 1-0 over Iceland.
In the second half, the plot seems to be the same as in the first 45 ‘, with the Azzurre immediately forward: first, Bonansea’s cross from the left, and Belgian defense to sweep, then invention on the back line by Bonfantini, who took over from Di Guglielmo, but Evrard blocks. It seems like the right change of pace, a flash that rips the horizon. Instead, on reversal in front, the cold shower arrives: in the 49 ‘free-kick to fall in the Belgium area, a ball that dances dangerously between a forest of legs and ends on De Caigny’s left that leaves no chance for Giuliani.
Despite the blows from KO, the reaction of Italy does not take long to arrive, closing the ranks and pouring forward, aware that time passes and the qualification is moving away. At 52 ‘it seems done, but the draw does not materialize due to a wood too many on the way to the goal: Bonfantini sows panic on the right, Bonansea catches that triggers Girelli whose right is printed on the crossbar. After the advantage, Belgium retires and administers the game, Italy remains under high pressure. At 68 ‘, Giugliano’s ring looks for the door directly on a free-kick from the left, but Evrard is not surprised and fists with clenched fists. At 77 ‘, another goal opportunity for Italy: Giacinti goes away on the right, come on and go with Bonfantini, right to cross at the far post, Evrard saves himself for a corner. It’s an assault on diligence. At 82 ‘, Cernoia launches Giacinti who throws his heart over the obstacle, but Evrard anticipates a desperate exit. At 86 ‘, Caruso’s side for Bonansea, but the right foot of the blue playmaker does not worry the Belgian extreme. At the end, a pole, this time hit by Wullaert, avoids the mockery. After seven minutes of recovery, the triple whistle arrives. Italy is out of the Europeans.
The scoreboard of Italy-Belgium 0-1 (0-0 pt)
NETWORKS: 4 ‘st De Caigny (B)
ITALY (4-4-1-1): Giuliani; Di Guglielmo (1st Bonfantini), Bartoli, Linari, Boattin; Bergamaschi (35 ‘st Cernoia), Simonetti (23’ st Giacinti), Rosucci (13 ‘st Caruso), Giugliano; Bonansea; Girelli (36 ‘st Sabatino). Available: Schroffenegger, Durante, Gama, Filangeri, Lenzini, Galli, Piedmont. Coach Bertolini
BELGIUM (4-3-3): Evrard; Vangheluwe (21 ‘st Delacauw), Kees, Biesmans, Philtjens; Cayman (47 ‘st Missipo), Vanhaervermaet, De Caigny; Dhont (14 ‘st Minnaert), Eurlings (21’ st Deloose), Wullaert. Available: Lemey, Lichtfus, Van Kerkhoven, Wijnants, Vanmechelen, De Neve, Tison. Ct Serneels
Referee: Ivana Martinčić (Croatia)
Booked: Boattin
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