About a year after the triumph at Wembley Stadium in London, where Italy crowned themselves European football champions in the final penalty thriller against England, nothing is the same as it used to be.
The rejuvenated Squadra Azzurra, who in the meantime had remained unbeaten 37 matches in a row and thus set a world record, was completely overwhelmed today in Mönchengladbach’s Borussia Park. Roberto Mancini’s team went down 5-2 (0-2) in the UEFA Nations League against the German side, who had previously drawn 1-1 en suite four times.
The Germans radiated joy in the game, but were literally invited to score goals by the Italians’ inferior defense. In this lively game, the decision was made shortly before and after the break. Manchester City star Ilkay Gündogan converted a penalty in the last few moves of the first half to make it 2-0 (45+4), Thomas Müller ended the five-minute storm and urge phase of the Squadra Azzurra with the 3-0 ( 51.).
This practically broke the resistance and extended the run of DFB national coach Hansi Flick, who has not lost any of his 13 country matches since taking office in autumn 2021.
Double pack within a minute
Significant: Chelsea striker Timo Werner, who has been extremely unlucky in many international matches, needed less than a minute to pull off a brace (68′, 69′). Italy and the offside trap that doesn’t snap – you don’t stand a chance.
More than result cosmetics did not jump out for the battered guests. The only 18-year-old Wilfried Gnonto put the next talent test, the legionnaire of the Swiss champions FC Zurich, where ex-ÖFB team boss Franco Foda is now swinging the scepter, scored 1: 5 (78th). The youngster is Italy’s youngest international goalscorer and a ray of hope in dark times.
Alessandro Bastoni headed the final point – 2:5 (94th). Much to the annoyance of DFB goalie Manuel Neuer, who was annoyed by the half-hearted defensive behavior after a corner kick. A game lasts until the referee blows his whistle.
England’s home embarrassment against Hungary
The 2022 Winter World Cup in Qatar will definitely take place without Italy, relegation to League B of the UEFA Nations League is still avoidable. The worst cards in Group 3 are held by EURO finalists England, who also strayed from winning ways on the way down.
After the embarrassing 4-0 home defeat against Hungary in Wolverhampton, things are slowly but surely getting tight for team boss Gareth Southgate, who doesn’t seem to be able at the moment to call on the great potential that lies dormant in captain Harry Kane’s team.
Anyone who knows the British Yellow Press knows that uncomfortable times are coming for Southgate. That’s not going to happen with the first world title since 1966.
Source: Nachrichten
