Not many games can be defined by the different acts opposing center-backs can partake in. Jérémy Jacquet dominated whenever he had to defend in front of him, whilst France only found spaces in the second half when Alessandro Bastoni defended in wider spots. A piece of free-kick magic got them in front, only for the Italian to […]
Italy finally found their rhythm. With fluid rotations, sharp combinations and constant movement between the lines, the Azzurri overwhelmed Turkey from the opening whistle, producing their most convincing performance of the campaign as short passing and positional interchanges drove a commanding victory. Tactical analysis and match report by Mustafa Hassan. Roberto Mancini’s Italy lined up in a […]
As Mika Godts broke through on his inauguration to the Belgian national team, Roberto Mancini cut a lonely figure as Italy looks a long way from breaking out of their troubles. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. Humiliation in Bosnia saw an inquest like no other. Gattuso axed, Pep discussed, Maldini the technical […]
A new man might be at the helm for Spain, but this clash did not stray from the dynamics of its predecessors. The usual suspect grew more dominant as time elapsed to pin their opponents deep into their half of the field. But it was a fresher face on the roster that sealed the deal. […]
England took a fairly early lead thanks to Declan Rice’s goal from a corner, before another set-piece late in the half led to a penalty which Harry Kane dispatched. Italy would go on to dominate the ball in the second half as England sat deeper, but England’s low-block was able to hold out for a […]
Gareth Southgate once again tried to manage risk with a back three focused on stability. However, a lack of solutions when it came to ball progression meant that England struggled to threaten the Italian defense as the home side ran out 1-0 winners in a cagey affair. Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley. England […]
Germany were hosting Italy exactly 10 days after their last meeting on the first matchday of the new Nations League campaign. That game ended in a 1-1 draw, but this one went slightly differently as the scoreline suggests. Tactical analysis and match report by Neel Shelat. Germany’s Nations League campaign had been less than ideal […]
Ahead of kickoff, the odds were firmly on a German victory. In the end, the contest did not align with what many expected. Hansi Flick’s men might have startled their youthful hosts but soon ran into several problems to which their individual quality could not find solutions. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. […]
The odds mandated the Italians make their way into the playoff final, but the fates had more pain in store for the European champions. A lack of incision in the final third paved the way to a stunning climax that barred the revival of the Azzurri from reaching its natural endpoint. Tactical analysis and match report by […]
Windsor Park was the perfect stage for the Italians to correct the errors of 2017 and bag a place in the World Cup. Or so it seemed. Mancini’s maneuvers in a 3-1-3-3 shape backfired, leaving his men to confront the horrors of the past in their totality via the playoffs. Tactical analysis and match report […]