Belgium 0-1 Italy Player Ratings: Azzurri secure narrow win to progress to Nations League quarter-finals

Italy edged out Belgium 1-0 in a UEFA Nations League group game to book their place for the next stage. The Azzurri dominated the proceedings from the word go, enjoying more possession and unsettling the hosts with their effective pressing and defensive structure. It immediately paid off as Sandro Tonali poked home a simple finish into an empty net following a low cross from Giovanni Di Lorenzo in the 11th minute.

The second half became more lively as the Belgians stepped up the intensity. At the same time, the Azzurri had a couple of chances to extend the lead but to no effect, with Matteo Retegui squandering his 1v1 effort against goalkeeper Koen Casteels – who made a brilliant save – and the Belgian defenders making a goal-line clearance. Domenico Tedesco’s side also had their fair share of chances as the game entered the final stages but Romelu Lukaku’s lacklustre finishing prevented them from getting an equaliser.

With the victory, Italy continued their unbeaten run in the Nations League campaign and also sealed their berth in the quarter-finals with 13 points, ahead of France, who are trailing by 3 points at the second place in their group. Meanwhile, Belgium are third, having managed only 1 win in 5 games.

Belgium Player Ratings vs Italy

Goalkeeper

Koen Casteels: 6/10 – Was exposed for Italy’s opener due to poor defending from his own players but made a brilliant effort to deny Retegui one-on-one in the second half

Defenders

Wout Faes: 7/10 – Proved to be a defensive machine, hardly putting a foot wrong. Closed down Retegui for the entirety and also cleared the ball out of harm’s way multiple times. His reading of the game was also brilliant as he rushed forward to negate threats. Also had his header hit the woodwork from a Belgium corner.

Arthur Theate: 6/10 – Made a goal-line clearance and also headed clear Dimarco’s cross.

Zeno Debast: 7/10 – The Sporting CP centre-back was another defensive colossus for Belgian Red Devils, making a raft of clearances, including a vital intervention against Nicolo Barella on the counter. His passing was immaculated with an accuracy of 96 %. Also ventured forward to join the attack many times.

Timothy Castagne: 6/10 – Became a threatening outlet in the second half as he provided crosses after crosses. One such ball found Lukaku but he headed his effort wide from close range.

Midfielders

Amadou Onana: 6/10 – The Aston Villa midfielder’s quality started to become evident once Belgians broke their shell and enjoyed spells of dominance. Retrieved the balls at will and also delivered 7 passes into the final third.

Arne Engels: 6/10 – Engels’ work rate was impressive as he constantly tried to win the balls and also succeeded in it.

Maxim De Cuyper: 5/10 – Was at fault for Italy’s opening strike as he failed to stop Barella’s chipped pass to Di Lorenzo. But looked dangerous with his ball progression.

Attackers

Lois Openda: 5/10 – Had his shot from the right-hand side saved by a diving Donnarumma.

Leandro Trossard: 5/10 – Forced a great save from Donnarumma with a great strike and also deliveried a sublime ball to Lukaku, who miscontrolled it.

Romelu Lukaku: 4/10 – A disappointing night for the Belgian striker, whose efforts in front of goal left a lot to be desired. Was completetly kept at bay in the first half and headed wide a glorious chance in the second period from a Castagne’s cross.

Substitutes

Arthur Vermeeren: N/A

Dodi Lukebakio: N/A

Johan Bakayoko: N/A

Ameen Al-Dakhil: N/A

Manager

Domenico Tedesco: 4/10 – Tedesco’s men upped the ante as the game wore on but it still proved insufficient, mainly due to their lacklustre attack. The Red Devils were also clueless against Italy’s pressing and defensive structure for larger bouts.

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Italy Player Ratings vs Belgium

Goalkeeper

Gianluigi Donnarumma 7/10: Produced two excellent saves against the strikes of Trossard and Openda and also punched the ball out of danger from a corner kick.

Defenders

Alessandro Buongiorno: 7/10 – Lived up to his reputation as a defensive monster, winning most of his duels against his Napoli team-mate Romelu Lukaku

Alessandro Bastoni: 7/10 – His long-balls, as usual, caused too many problems for the home side and he was involved in some crucial defensive actions, helping his side secure a clean sheet

Giovanni Di Lorenzo: 8/10 – An impersious performance from the Napoli defender, carrying his quality througout the game. Made surging runs down the right-flanks unfazed, which also saw him set up Tonali for the only goal of the game. Defensively, he made 8 recoveries and won three tackles

Federico Dimarco: 6/10 – Dimarco was not at his usual best, which was largely due to Belgium’s tight defending. Nevertheless, his crosses often caused problems for the hosts.

Andrea Cambiaso: 6/10 – A good outing for the Juventus wing-back, who continues to grow in confidence. Made 6 recoveries and created 2 chances.

Midfielders

Nico Rovella: 7/10 – Rovella exhibhited a great performance as the deep-lying midfielder. Circulated the ball brilliantly with an impressive passing accuracy of 96%. His defensive efforts also stood out, completing 7 recoveries.

Davide Frattesi: 6/10 – An impressive performance from the Inter Milan milan midfielder, making great runs into the box and creating problems for Belgians in half-spaces. Worked brilliantly off the ball and also nearly had an assist, playing in a great pass to Retegui, whose shot was denied

Sandro Tonali: 7/10 – Made a timely entry in the box to stroke home into the empty net for the opener. Made another dangerous run into the box but Cambiaso’s pass to him was cut off by the Belgian defence.

Nicolo Barella: 6/10 – Playing in a more advanced role behin Retegui, Barella played a lovely dink to Di Lorenzo in the lead up to the first goal. Also provided another impressive out-of-the boot ball to Fratessi in a more promising position.

Attackers

Matteo Retegui: 5/10 -Was marked out by Belgian defenders throughout the first half, with his link-up play few and far between. Had a great 1vs 1 opportunity after the break but Casteels produced a great save.

Substitutes

Moise Kean: 4/10 – Had two presentable opportunities but made a meal out of them.

Destiny Udogie: N/A

Manuel Locatelli: N/A

Giacomo Raspadori: N/A

Federico Gatti: N/A

Manager

Luciano Spalletti: 7/10 – Despite the victory, Spalletti would be disappointed with the scoreline as he must be feeling his side could have done even better on the attacking front. Regardless, A clinical defending from the Azzurri helped them get over the line.

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