Italy 1-0 Wales
Italy continued their winning run with a victory over Wales at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, which makes it three wins from three as Roberto Mancini’s side won Group A at a canter.
The Azzurri have been in sensational form at Euro 2020, winning their opening two games 3-0 and with their place in the Round of 16 already booked Mancini made eight changes with only keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defender Leonardo Bonucci and midfield man Jorginho keeping their places.
Matteo Pessina struck shortly before half time to give Italy the win and Wales hung on the keep the score to one, despite going down to ten men when Ethan Amapadu was sent off, and that was enough to give the Dragons second place on goal difference.
Highlights of the game
Italy’s squad players were certainly out to impress and Andrea Belotti came close, on 12 minutes, with an acrobatic shot and then, minutes later, Joe Rodon had to be alert to thwart an effort from Federico Bernardeschi. Wales keeper Danny Ward made his first save, on the quarter hour, to keep out a shot from Chelsea centre back Emerson. And the stopper did well again to keep out a deflected effort from Rafael Toloi.
Italy continued to press and Belotti fizzed a shot just wide and then, as they upped the ante, Federico Chiesa hammered a shot inches wide, then late in the first half Italy inevitably broke the deadlock with a perfectly worked free kick. Marco Verratti put a low ball into the penalty area and Matteo Pessina flicked it on into the bottom right corner. Ward had taken a step to his left and couldn’t readjust as the ball nestled in the net. It was no more than Italy deserved as they went into the half time break in front.
The Euro 2020 updates from the Baku National Stadium came through with the news that Switzerland were 2-0 up against Turkey; and so the battle for second place was well and truly on. If there was a two goal swing in favour of the Swiss in the second half then they would draw level with Wales.
The pattern of play with Italian dominance continued in the second half and Wales had a huge let off when Bernardeschi fired a low free kick, from all of 25 yards, against the upright, with Ward well beaten. Wales’ task was made doubly hard when Ethan Ampadou stamped on Bernardeschi’s ankle and the referee had little option than to pull out the red card, and there was no dissent from VAR.
The news came through from Baku that Turkey had scored, and back in Rome Ward made another great save to keep out Chiesa. At 1-0 there is always a chance and the Dragons had a rare opportunity to score, on 75 minutes, when a speculative ball into the box was flicked on and found Gareth Bale, but he hit his volley way over the bar.
Italy continued to press for a second goal and the Wales defence dug deep to keep out a succession of corners, and Ward made a good save to hang on to a fierce strike by Belotti.
1-0 was job done for Italy and a good result for Wales.
Key statistics
It was one way traffic throughout the first half as the Azzurri had 66 percent possession and won the shot count by ten to two and three to one on target. Wales simply couldn’t get hold of the ball as Italy were in total control.
There was little change in the second half and the shot count finished at 22 to three and six to one on target.
Italy are now unbeaten in 30 games in all competitions, winning 25 and drawing five since a 1-0 loss to Portugal in 2018, and equalling their all time longest unbeaten run since 1939.
None of the last ten games between these two sides have resulted in a draw, with Italy winning eight and Wales winning two.
What’s next?
Wales’ stunning win over Turkey last Wednesday put Rob Page’s side in a great position to qualify for the Round of 16, while Italy were already through; and in the other Group A fixture tonight, Switzerland beat Turkey 3-1 which means Wales finish second and the Swiss should qualify as a strong third place.
The Euro 2020 betting odds have taken notice of Italy’s form over the past 12 months and during the early stages of this competition, and they are now pushing France for the position of tournament favourites. That’s some turnaround since Roberto Mancini took over after the Azzurri failed to qualify for Russia 2018. Italy will play the runner up of Group C in the Round of 16.
Next up there’s a great day of football coming up for SBOTOP fans on Monday when Group B and Group C both reach a conclusion. All eyes will be on Copenhagen where Denmark need to beat Russia to keep their Euro 2020 campaign going.
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