Nations League, Israel-Italy 1-2: goals by Frattesi and Kean
Italy defeated Israel 2-1 in a match on the second day of Group 2 of League A of the Nations League, played at the Bozsik Arena in Budapest. Frattesi scored for the Azzurri in the 38th minute and Kean in the 62nd minute. In the 90th minute, Abu Fani scored a consolation goal for Israel.
In the other match of the group, France redeemed itself and won against Belgium: Kolo Muani (29′) and Dembelé (57′) make it 2-0 against the Red Devils, while Mbappé and Thuram remain dry.
Italy leads the rankings with 6 points, ahead of France and Belgium with 3, Israel closes at 0.
Israel-Italy 1-2, the match
Before the match, during the playing of the Israeli anthem, a large part of the Italian fans present at the stadium turned their backs. A protest linked to the delicate political moment of the Jewish state, at war with Hamas since last October 7.
Israel immediately dangerous at the start and went vertical in the 3rd minute, the Italian defence manages to get by on Khalaili’s attempt. In the 10th minute, a good defensive intervention by Bellanova closes out a dangerous situation, anticipating Salomon inside the penalty area. The first attempt by Italy comes in the 16th minute with a conclusion by Dimarco after a free kick move: the ball goes over the crossbar. In the 21st minute, another chance for the Italians, a cross by Bastoni, Frattesi’s run in but he doesn’t find the shot towards the opponent’s goal. In the 27th minute, another opportunity for Italy, going from left to right, the ball reaches Bellanova who however hits the ball badly from a good position and his conclusion ends up wide. Shortly after the half hour, Italy risks a counterattack by Israel, concluded by Solomon who kicks wide.
In the 38th minute the Azzurri unlocked the match with Frattesi. Italy goes from right to left, the ball reaches Dimarco who puts in a strong cross, the Italian midfielder intervenes and chests it into the goal. A minute later there is a chance to double the score with Raspadori who moves to the center and finds space for the conclusion, saved by Gerafi. Italy closes the first half on the attack, with Bellanova who in the 45th minute attempts a conclusion from outside the area that almost surprises Gerafi.
Frattesi still dangerous at the start of the second half who enters for the umpteenth time, receives and shoots: Gerafi somehow deflects. At 9′ Jehezkel is dangerous who from two steps does not hit well and Donnarumma manages to save the conclusion.
At 17′ the Azzurri doubled their lead with Kean: Frattesi recovers the ball, passes it to Raspadori who shoots, Gerafi parries, the Fiorentina striker bursts in and scores from a few steps away. Immediately after, a double substitution for Spalletti: Bellanova and Raspadori come off, Cambiaso and Brescianini come on. At 22′ a double substitution also for the Azzurri’s opponents, with Abu Fani and Safuri, replacing Peretz and Kanichowsky. At 25′ Udogie’s hour strikes, Dimarco comes off. At 29′ the first cautioned player of the match: yellow card for Gatti. A minute later, a goal by Tonali is disallowed for offside by Kean.
At 40′ Spalletti finishes the substitutions with Retegui and Zaccagni on the pitch in place of Kean and Ricci. At 45′ ‘Italy is a bit lazy in clearing away a loose ball in the area, Abu Fani finds it on his foot and with a diagonal shot beats Donnarumma, scoring a consolation goal. In the 4 minutes of injury time nothing else happens and the Azzurri take home three fundamental points for the group standings.
Italy, Spalletti: ‘We did our part splendidly, a very mature team’
“We did our part splendidly, all the pitfalls we had talked about were revealed. The fact that we were in order without ever letting ourselves go too much was fundamental, however, “ours was not a mature team but a very mature one”, the words of the Italian coach Luciano Spalletti after the 2-1 victory over Israel in the second match of Group 2 of League A of the Nations League. “The players have put themselves in a position to play as they do at the club and some are finding themselves with their eyes closed. In the second half we were better, our monster dribbling and our ball possession emerged”, adds the coach to the microphone of Rai Sport.
Italy, Spalletti: “Perfect responses from the group”
“This call-up was thought out very carefully, I had to decide on a new group, rejuvenate it, and the responses were perfect, as I expected. I changed something, the team showed the qualities I expected by playing two very good games. Now we just have to strengthen the initial idea, continue like this”. Luciano Spalletti stated this in a press conference at the end of Israel-Italy 1-2 on the second day of the Nations League. The coach then offered some reflections on some individuals: “Frattesi always helps the team to be superior with his volume of work, even when he can’t be seen in the actions because he doesn’t touch the ball. We didn’t look for Kean much, there were situations in which we should have thrown the ball into space using his speed and strength. Chiesa? This 3-5-2 can also be with a central striker and a more open one, instead of being two central strikers, but the module remains the same”.
Italy, Bastoni: “The victory against France gave us great awareness”
“The victory against France gave us great awareness. We want to put the bad impression we made at the European Championship behind us. We made a lot of mistakes in terms of approach. We want to leave the European Championship behind us. I am happy with Spalletti’s trust after having done a lot of apprenticeship behind two sacred monsters like Bonucci and Chiellini”, Bastoni’s words to Rai after Italy’s 2-1 victory over Israel.
Italy, Good Morning: “It wasn’t easy…”
Good morning to Rai after Italy’s success in the second Nations League match: “We are very happy. It wasn’t easy. We knew there would be difficulties, but we came out victorious from the match. We try to work with the coach in training to improve all the mechanisms both defensively and offensively. Working together is important and today I felt very good with my teammates”.
Italy, Gatti: important to give continuity with the victory
“It was important to give continuity to the result of three days ago. It was a tough match, as always away from home. It was important to win, we are in the lead, the group is still long and we have to get as high as possible”. Federico Gatti spoke to Rai microphones after Italy’s 1-2 victory over Israel in the second match of the Nations League. “It’s a shame about the goal because it came from a set piece that in my opinion wasn’t there. We should have been more careful but it was too important to win. The disappointment of the European Championship was huge; it’s still early, we started with the right pace, slowly we have to put brick by brick and then we’ll see”, concluded the defender.
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