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Mancini's symbolic choices
To heal a sick team, you have to experiment with new remedies.
And Roberto Mancini can be happy to have tested new things in this European poster against Germany (1-1).
It is in this sense that the Squadra Azzurra will return to the front of the stage.
With the absences of Andrea Belotti and Ciro Immobile, the young Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca showed real personality by winning important physical duels and being present in the air.
He was dangerous on several occasions (post in the 35th).
Several young players celebrated their first cap, including 18-year-old striker Wilfried Gnonto, who provided the assist for Lorenzo Pellegrini's goal.
Torino midfielders Samuele Ricci and Tommaso Pobega also experienced their first minutes with Italy.
To discover
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Nations League: schedule and results
The Italian midfielder faithful to his philosophy
Despite the absences of Marco Verratti, Nicolo Barella, Jorginho and Manuel Locatelli, the other Italian midfielders managed to show very good things on the pitch by relaunching quickly and cleanly.
They knew how to find Scamacca in front of the cages or Matteo Politano on the side.
As previously explained, Mancini's choice to install new elements like Davide Frattesi (70% of successful passes) or to empower Sandro Tonali (83% of successful passes), he proves that his game identity that made the European success de la
Nazionale
, is not yet outdated.
Italian joy after Pellegrini's goal.
MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP
A reassuring Kimmich - Goretzka duo
On the German side, the collective performance remains disappointing given the talents present in the workforce.
Nevertheless, some individual elements were able to take matters into their own hands to keep the
Mannschaft
alive.
Leon Goretzka was at the initiative of several opportunities (13th, 26th, 38th).
As for Joshua Kimmich, he was the author of the quick equalizer for Germany, while his team had not yet shot on goal in the second half.
Italy: after the disappointments, the time for major works has arrived for Roberto Mancini
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Italian defense still running in
With the retirement of Giorgio Chiellini and the advanced age of Leonardo Bonucci, Mancini must find his two central stones to build his new defensive wall.
And unfortunately, the Acerbi-Bastoni pair was not convincing.
The two players lack automation, communication and above all serenity.
Even with their goalkeeper Donnarumma (author of several decisive parries) who was forced to keep the ball at his feet due to a lack of movement and openings from his defenders to restart.
Complicated match for the PSG defender.
Andrea Staccioli / Insidefoto / PANORAMIC
The German left wing
Whether Leroy Sané or Thilo Kehrer, the German left wing has encountered many defensive and offensive difficulties.
The young player Wilfried Gnonto overflowed on the left side for the opener, leaving the PSG defender on the spot like Politano earlier in the match (55th, 61st).
As for Leroy Sané, he only shot once on goal, while being the starting German attacking player who touched the fewest balls (39).
Timo Werner, too ineffective
While Germany have very often entered the Italian surface, striker Timo Werner has very rarely shown himself to be dangerous.
Worse still, he hasn't attempted a shot in 90 minutes. He also lost nine balls and committed two fouls.
A catastrophic performance for the number 9 of the Mannschaft
.
