The report cards of Italy (by Marco Conterio)
Donnarumma 6.5 When on the thirtieth he comes out at twenty-five meters to masterfully deflect a head ball, one thinks how it is possible to do it at twenty. A phenomenon, veteran at heart, potential number one in the world. The parade on Zuber is the stamp on the registered letter.
Di Lorenzo 7 The boyish nickname was Batigol, because he played as a forward. He moved back the center of gravity and did not pay the price with emotion, he who comes from the ranks and right-back has consecrated himself to Matera.
Bonucci 7 He has never lacked self-esteem but what he found in this blue cycle with Mancini makes him play lightly on a cloud. And then the ego is at the service of the team so be it.
Chiellini 6.5 The Gorilla’s exultation, when he scores, is the primitive joy of the boy who lives on his dreams. Then the impact with reality: the hope is that the change is only the result of precaution. (from 20 ‘Acerbi 6.5 Entering cold requires frozen blood. He does it, as a leader, skilled, on his tiles, dressed in blue).
Spinazzola 7The high speed of the left-handed of the blues is a constant of the first two matches of Italy. When he starts ball and chain he always gives the feeling of being able to do something beautiful and suddenly. And it does.
Stretcher 7 The Kanté of Italy is a moped that makes itself felt in both phases. Dark balancer, in front of the much talked about Xhaka rises to the chair. Around him he creates emptiness: an island of man.
Jorginho 7 Another who is a child of the mess and has gone out to see the stars. He dreams of experiencing the same emotions with Italy that he breathed in the Champions League with Chelsea. For now the chills are those.
Locatelli 8 The immodest Manuel Locatelli has every reason in the world to feel special. It was as a boy, to then impact with reality. It has been for two years. It is tonight. Two extraordinary goals: he is not ready for the big leap. It is already in flight.
Berardi 7.5 The boldness of the grown-ups, even for someone who has never wanted to leave his comfort zone. Wear the gala dress as if you have always been used to the evenings at La Scala. The assist for the one to zero is a nugget. (from 69 ‘Toloi 6 Benvindo, Rafal. With him Mancini puts the defense in three: sure, he juggles without wanting to overdo it, as is the order for those who take their first steps at the University).
Immobile 7.5 He scores and does so with a splendid right from the edge. True and pure center forward. He is not a star but in this working-class Italy it is better this way: all for one, one for all.
Badge 7.5 The Insigne shot will soon be patented. That is the one where the man points, you look at him, smile, and then soft and almost sleepy you end the turn on the far pole. Like the call from the call center: you know it’s that, but you keep falling into it undeterred. (from 69 ‘Church 6 Switzerland seems to have already been put in the bank and he enters to manage the result with his young experience. Mission complete).
Mancini 8 Twenty-ninth consecutive profit. Ninth game in a row without conceding a goal. Italy is wonderful. Provincial, starless but beautiful. Head down and pedal now. With a dream in mind.
The report cards of Switzerland (by Andrea Piras)
Summer 5.5 – In the balance until the end waiting to become a father for the second time, he is deployed from the first minute. Few faults on the first two goals, some more responsibility on the Immobile trio.
Elvedi 5 – The Azzurri attackers put him in difficulty every now and then. He does not follow Schar leaving the space that Locatelli exploits wonderfully for the advantage of Italy.
Schar 5 – It is stamped to Immobile as if it were a man marking but the blue striker gives him a lot to do. Cut following his marker, leaving space for Locatelli on the occasion of the Azzurri goal (From 57 ‘Zuber 6 – He presents himself with a good defensive diagonal on Insigne’s cross, forces Donnarumma to the great save).
Akanji 5,5 – It is always found in the center of the penalty area on the head shots minus when instead it is aimed at by the Azzurri players.
Mbabu 5 – The word game lends itself easily. Spinazzola is a “thorn” in the side: the blue outside pushes a lot, often going to the cross. Better when it pushes where it shows some good ideas but too little (Dal 59 ‘Widmer 6 – Old acquaintance of Italian football, he shows himself well in his home lane).
Freuler 5 – He looks like another player compared to the one admired with Gasperini’s Atalanta. It allows Locatelli to travel fifty meters without the ball and to come face to face with Sommer on the occasion of the goal of the advantage
Xhaka 5 – The thinking brain of Petkovic’s Switzerland. It initially has too much room to act. He is pressed more as the minutes pass and the Swiss game suffers.
Rodriguez 5 – He pushes more than Mbabu on his side but Di Lorenzo is never put in difficulty. Skipped by Berardi on the occasion of the assist that leads to Locatelli’s goal.
Shaqiri 5.5 – He is often sought after by teammates but this time his position between the lines does not bear the hoped-for results. He tries a few plays but never manages to affect (Dal 77 ‘Vargas St.).
Seferovic 5,5 – Little is seen in attack this evening. It is closed perfectly by the defense of Italy (Dal 46’ Gavranovic 5 – Against Wales the impact was important, less today as he earns a yellow card after four minutes).
plunger 5 – Play more distant to Seferovic than he would like it to be. He never manages to make himself as dangerous as he can. Especially thanks to the blue rearguard.
Petkovic 5 – After the draw against Wales comes a defeat for the Swiss national team against the Azzurri. Swiss never in the game and who will now have to play the next round against Turkey in Baku.
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