Rome, June 9 (EFE).- Although with a result short of the rival’s level, a much inferior Bosnia Herzegovina (1-0), Italy, drawn against Spain in the Euro Cup, gained momentum with a balmy victory full of experiments before traveling to Germany to defend her European champion crown, won at Wembley in 2021.
Spalletti’s attempts were fulfilled against a clearly inferior Bosnia. Starting minutes for Matteo Darmian (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Nicolo Fagioli and Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), a priori substitute players in the tournament in Germany, to close the preparation phase with an easy victory, with absolute dominance after the gray draw against Turkey (0-0) and in which Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG) had little to intervene.
Italy’s constant siege found its reward in the twilight of the first act, with two regular protagonists to unblock matches. Federico Chiesa, Italian Cup champion with ‘Juve’, always a sure thing in the ‘azzurra’ shirt, took a measured cross into the heart of the area that Davidee Frattesi, a secondary actor at Inter and, a priori, also at This Italy, he clinched the squad with his interior and without it bouncing.
A great goal from the Interista midfielder, champion of the ‘Scudetto’, who vindicated his figure in the last preparatory duel. He is in great shape and, although he aims to be one of Spalletti’s main drivers, he can be a high-level starter during the Euro, in which it also remains to be seen how his teammate Nicolo Barella will arrive, still in cotton wool.
Before the goal, he had a very clear chance that was created together with Gianluca Scamacca, an Atalanta forward who with a backheel left Frattesi alone who missed the great first opportunity of the game. Scamacca, brand new Europa League champion with the ‘Dea’, was a constant danger and will be, barring a major surprise, the starting center forward in the tournament.
Already in the second half, although with dominance intact, Italy slowed down and generated a little less. Even so, he had clear chances, especially a point-blank shot by Scamacca that forced Piric to appear after a great Italian collective play.
Chiesa continued to be a danger until he was replaced by Raspadori and there, with the match already decided, Spalletti also gave minutes to Folorunsho (Hellas Verona) and Mateo Retegui (Genoa), two secondary players in the squad for the big event.
Frattesi’s goal was enough to seal a simple victory, but against an inferior opponent. The champion has already closed its preparatory phase, it already has its 26 chosen and on June 15 it will begin the defense of its crown against Albania led by Brazilian Sylvinho, former Celta, Barcelona and Manchester City player.
— Data sheet:
1 – Italy: Donnarumma; Darmian, Buongiorno, Calafiori; Bellanova (Dimarco, m.66), Jorginho (Pellegrini, m.66), Fagioli (Cristante, m.66), Cambiaso; Frattesi (Folorunsho, m.76), Chiesa (Raspadori, m.76); Scamacca (Retegui, m.84).
0 – Bosnia: Piric; Ahmedhozdic, Katic (Muhareemovic, m.90), Bicakcic; Gazibegovic, Hajradinovic (Burnic, m.67), Tahirovic, Saric (Huseinbasic, m.67), Mujakic (Hadzikadunic, m.81); Gigovic (Sosic, m.89), Demirovic.
Goal: 1-0, m.37: Frattesi
Referee: Chrysovalantis Theouli (CYPRUS). He showed a yellow card to Huseinbasic (m.93) from Bosnia.
Incidents: Friendly international match, last before the Euro 2024 in Germany, played at the Carlo Castellani stadium in Empoli (north). EFE
tfc/jl
