A one point from Euro 24. The five with which theItaly beat North Macedonia it has the flavor of liberation, even if the games are not over yet: on Monday there will be direct clash with Ukraine and the blues will have to at least equalize to secure the precious pass for Germany and thus avoid the very treacherous playoffs.
Exultation yes, but in moderation, because Rebrov's men should absolutely not be underestimated. Anyway Spalletti can enjoy the festive evening, both for the ranking and for the Macedonian taboo, dispelled on the third attempt (the second for him).
Italy – North Macedonia 5-2, Darmian, Chiesa (twice), Raspadori and El Shaarawy bring the European Championships closer
Victory had to be and victory it was, albeit with a few too many worries. The 5-2 final, in fact, should not be deceiving, because at a certain point the match was in the balance and the Azzurri saw the ghosts of the past again. THE two goals from Atanasov reopened a challenge which seemed already closed, raising tension in a rightly worried Olimpico, as demonstrated by the spat between Spalletti and his colleague Milevski, also a result of the tensions of the first leg. Luckily then they arrived liberating goals from Raspadori and El Shaarawy, but overall the victory is deserved.
Italy, sided with a 4-3-3 with Berardi, Raspadori and Chiesa in attack, he approached the match well, starting immediately with his foot on the accelerator. And so, after the attempt by Chiesa (7', saved by Dimitrievski), the goal disallowed by Raspadori (13', offside) and the new shot by the Juventus winger (16'), came the Darmian's advantage, good at heading the far post and beating the Macedonian goalkeeper (17'). Having broken through the wall, the Azzurri finally loosened up and came close to doubling their lead several times, without conceding anything to their opponents. The right opportunity seemed to have arrived in the 38th minute when Serafimov stopped Gatti's header with his arm, for the inevitable penalty. On the disk, as announced on the eve (who knows why...), is gone Jorginho, in the same stadium (but in the other goal) as Italy-Switzerland: result? Soft shot and save by Dimitrievski, to the dismay of the Olimpico and all the millions in front of the TV. Luckily the frost didn't last long, because on the next corner Church he caught the joker from distance, signing the very precious 2-0 light blue (41'). Which became 3 before the break, again with the unleashed Juventus player, this time with a curling shot (45+2', decisive deflection by Manev). It seemed like the prelude to a quiet second half, but substitute Atanasov had different plans: first he scored the 3-1 with a header (52'), then the 3-2 with a long-range shot deflected by Acerbi (74' ). The tension, as previously mentioned, has dramatically increased, but theItaly was good not to panic and to continue attacking, ending up being rewarded by Raspadori (81') and El Shaarawy (90+3') and giving way to the final celebration at the Olimpico.
Spalletti rejoices: “Great reaction after the 3-2! Jorginho? He remains a special penalty taker."
“I think the team did a good match for the whole ninety minutes, unfortunately every now and then, when the result seems to have been achieved, it happens that the pace is slowed down a bit and we fight less for the balls - theSpalletti's analysis -. We knew that on set pieces we would pay a few centimeters compared to them, but the second goal was a coincidence. Rather than the 20 minutes of confusion, however, I would underline the reaction that the team had after conceding the 3-2. We have a lot of quality, there has been a notable step forward in this sense, in fact we have also had other opportunities. Now let's think about Ukraine, I will have to evaluate the conditions of the players after this match, but I don't foresee major changes in the lineup. Church? He has tears and flashes where he uses both engine and body, because when he decides to jump the man uses technique and strength, then in finishing he is deadly when he starts from the left. Jorginho? We must congratulate him, he didn't angle the ball very well but the goalkeeper was very good: he remains a special penalty taker for Italy."
