Roberto Mancini’s Italy took on the challenge of Jerzy Brzeczek’s Poland for this crunch League A Group 1 fixture. With pole position on the line, the Azzurri had everything to play for before this home game against the Netherlands in three days’ time.
After the Dutch side had played a 0-0 draw against Bosnia Herzegovina, the Italians had the chance to solidify their grip at the top of the table. However, they too could only manage a 0-0 away draw against their Polish counterparts.
It was the Italian side that dominated the proceedings in the first half. Andrea Belotti hounded the Polish defense as the Italian wingers caused problems from the flanks. Both Lorenzo Pellegrini and Federico Chiesa came close to scoring in the initial exchanges. Pellegrini flashed his header wide while the new Juventus signing’s shot went over the crossbar.
Just before the half-hour mark, the Italians had a genuine appeal for a penalty as Pellegrini was brought down in the box. The referee waved away the protests but gave away a free-kick for Grzegorz Krychowiak’s foul on the Napoli man. Pellegrini was in the thick of things again as he received Nicolò Barella’s cross. However, his low attempt on goal was easily saved by Lukasz Fabianski.
Robert Lewandowski threatened with his off the ball movement, but his attacking forays were limited thanks to excellent defending by Mancini’s men. The Bayern forward could only earn a corner for the hosts in the first half as the Azzurri defenders always rushed to nullify his threat.
Despite enjoying the majority of the possession and creating the bulk of scoring opportunities, the Italians were left ruing their scatter gun approach in attack. It was all square at half-time, with Poland gaining a foothold in the match after being on the back foot for the encounter’s duration.
Both sides came out with positive intent after the restart. Italy were camped in the opposition half before the Polish side wrestled away the control and threatened the other end of the pitch. Jakub Moder tested Gianluigi Donnarumma but could only earn a corner.
Italy reacted and created chances of their own. It was Emerson Palmieri who had the next great opportunity. Chiesa opened up the Polish defense with a cross that found the Chelsea man, like his peers before him his header was just wide of the left post.
Both sides made attacking changes. Moise Kean came on for the Italians while Brzeczek called on the services of Kamil Grosicki and Arkadiusz Milik. The Napoli forward was immediately put in check by Nicolò Barella and earned a free-kick for his side. He would test Donnarumma soon after, but the custodian was equal to the task.
Meanwhile, Kean’s introduction also revitalized the toothless attack. The Juventus youth academy graduate had a shot blocked first before bringing his teammates in action with a square ball into the area. He also earned a corner for the Azzurri, but the referee missed the slight touch of the defender. Kean would soon after release Barella on goal, but the Inter midfielder could not find a teammate with his poor cross.
Italy piled on pressure with Marco Veratti finding an advancing Emerson. The left-back was through on goal but could not manage a shot on goal. Fabianski’s resulting ball would make its way to Lewandowski, but the forward could only show his skill on the ball as his shot on goal was blocked by Francesco Acerbi.
It would be his last action of the game as he was substituted in favor of Karol Linetty, while Kamil Jozwiak made way for Michal Karbownik in a tactical substitution. Meanwhile, Mancini replaced Andrea Belotti with in-form Francesco Caputo and brought on his Sassuolo teammate Domenico Berardi for Lorenzo Pellegrini.
There was a spring in the Italian side’s step, but it was their rivals who created the more threatening chance. Linetty should have scored from a Krychowiak pass but his shot was deflected into the side netting. Grosicki also managed a shot on goal after his pass evaded his teammates and into the waiting hands of Donnarumma.
On the other side of the pitch, Italy attacked with fervor. Kean was in the middle of things again, showing skills that seems to have evaded him at the Goodison Park. However, it was not enough and the match ended 0-0.
With the Dutch managing a draw against Bosnia Herzegovina, the status quo in League A Group 1 remains unchanged. A lot will ride in the next round of matches as Italy host the Netherlands, while the Bosnians travel to Poland.
MATCH REPORT
October 11, 2020 – Nations League 2020-2021 Group A
POLAND-ITALY 0-0
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POLAND (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Kedziora, Glik, Walukiewicz, Bereszynski; Krichowiak, Moder; Szymanski (60′ Grosicki), Klich (70′ Milik), Joswiak (83′ Karbownik); Lewandowski (82′ Linetty) (Szczesny, Skorupski, Bochniewicz, Czerwinski, Goralski, Reca, Kadzior, Piatek) Coach: Brzeczek |
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ITALY (4-5-1): Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Acerbi, Emerson; Barella (80′ Locatelli), Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa (69′ Kean), Belotti (84′ Caputo), Pellegrini (85′ Berardi) (Sirigu, Cragno, D’Ambrosio, Chiellini, Spinazzola, Cristante, Sensi, Immobile) Coach: R. Mancini |
REFEREE: Sanchez Martinez (Spain)
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Kedziora, Bereszynski (P), Acerbi, Belotti (I)