MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Italy is defeated 3-1 by France at the Meazza in the last day of the group stage of the 2024/2025 Nations League and closes in second place in Group 2 of League A: Adrien Rabiot’s double and an own goal by Vicario on Lucas Digne’s free kick, Cambiaso’s the Italian goal. The team led by Didier Deschamps started strongly and took the lead after just two minutes with a header by Adrien Rabiot on the development of a corner kick taken by Digne. The Azzurri immediately try to react to the disadvantage, coming to the conclusion on 9′ with Barella, but Maignan blocks without any problems. The transalpine formation defends very neatly and Italy struggles to find the right spaces to hit their opponents. In 25′, Di Lorenzo tries a header on Dimarco’s cross from a free kick, but he does not frame the goal mirror. Luciano Spalletti’s boys attacked, but at 33′ it was France again to score with an unfortunate own goal by Guglielmo Vicario (on the pitch in place of Donnarumma stopped by an intestinal virus) on Lucas Digne’s free kick. Not even time to rejoice for the French, the Azzurri shortened the gap two minutes later with Andrea Cambiaso: the Juventus outfielder took advantage of Dimarco’s cross and deposited the ball in the back of the net.
The two teams, therefore, go to rest on the 1-2 scoreline. In the second half, Italy has a somewhat superficial approach and loses a few too many balls, lending the side to the offensives of the transalpines and at 58′ Vicario has to think about it to say no to Nkunku. The Azzurri respond with attempts from the distance by Dimarco and Locatelli, which, however, are lost at the back. At 65′, France went back ahead by two goals thanks to a brace from Adrien Rabiot, who took advantage of Digne’s free-kick cross to score the winning strike. Luciano Spalletti’s side retaliated once again with an inaccurate shot by Cambiaso, which finished on the bottom. The substitutions by the Azzurri coach shook the team, which, after missing a glaring chance with Kean in mid-recovery, had to surrender 3-1 against the transalpines. By virtue of this result, France flies to the quarterfinals from first in the standings thanks to goal difference, while Italy enters the next round from second in the group, where it will meet one of Germany, Spain and Portugal.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo Ipa Agency –
