Italy secured a 2-0 win over Moldova in their second World Cup qualifying match, with Giacomo Raspadori resulting in Football Italia’s MOTM.
Italy player Ratings
Donnarumma 6 – A crucial save on Reabciuk just a minute after Raspadori’s opener. A poor pass in the stoppages could have proved costly.
Di Lorenzo 6 – Spalletti’s Fedelissimo was always destined to start in the coach’s final game. A balanced match, nothing more, nothing less.
Bastoni 6 – Often reproached by Spalletti, the Inter star was excellent with the ball at his feet, but only won one aerial duel from four (via Sofascore).
Ranieri 6.5 – Italy debut for the Fiorentina defender. Contributed to Raspadori’s opener with a cross from the left. Injured in the final minutes, he was forced to be subbed off. (83′ Coppola 7)
Cambiaso 6.5 – In love with the ball. Far from his best version, but two of his three dribbles were successful, and he also scored the second for the Azzurri.
Frattesi 6 – His trademark late runs produced some chances for the Azzurri. The Inter defender had his best chance in the second half, but his shot from a good position was saved.
Ricci 6.5 – 92% accurate passes and four ground duels won from five. Easy, given that Moldova didn’t press much? Maybe, but resting him in Norway surely wasn’t the best idea. (46′ Barella 6)
Tonali 6.5 – The Newcastle star covered two different roles as he became the Italy playmaker in the second half when Barella replaced Ricci.
Dimarco 6 – Just two accurate crosses from ten, a goal-line clearance before the break was the highlight of his performance. He wasn’t always in the best position to put the ball in. No coincidence that his replacement provided an assist with one of the first touches. (46′ Orsolini 7)
Retegui 5.5 – Kept Moldova defenders busy with his physicality inside the box, but didn’t have many big chances. Difficult, with just 26 touches. (71′ Lucca 6).
Raspadori 7 – Broke the deadlock and appeared to dedicate his goal to Spalletti. Inspired Italy’s attacks with three key passes. (76′ Maldini N/A)
Coach: Spalletti 6 – Spent the whole game in front of his bench, giving the final instructions to his players and seeming discouraged at times. Italy won the game, but a lack of unity was still evident from this match. Parting ways was the right thing; the timing and manner remain debatable.
Moldova: Avram 7; Baboglo 5.5, Mudrac 5.5, Dumbravanu 5.5; Platica 6, Ionita 6 (72′ Dros 6), Bodisteanu 5.5 (58′ Motpan 6), Reabciuk 6.5; Caimacov 6 (65′ Stina 5.5), Nicolaescu 6.5 (72′ Damascan 6), Postolachi 5.5 (65′ Perciun). Coach: Cleșcenco 6.
Finally scoring a goal – Relief
3 points on the board – important
Seeing Baboglu KO’ing Ranieri back to the changing room – PRICELESS.
With the inconsistent play on the right side, why is Berardi not on team. He’s talented and his experience would be helpful to the young players.
Rosario has more of NOTHING to say…typical.
Perhaps he can answer my question about the FACT that Seria A clubs favor foreign players over Italians… waiting for an answer from the one who thinks he knows it all.
they barley beat moldova dont celebrate 3 points nothing to say
Vittorio, I don’t disagree with what you are saying, but… the EPL 69.4% foreigners, the Bundesliga 56%, Serie A 55% and La Liga is the lowest with around 40%.
When Italia won the WC in 2006 66% of players in the starting 11 for Serie A squads were Italian and now 20 years later that total number is down approximately 11%. Of course the question is, does this make a difference? I’m not sure. England currently have, ARGUABLY, the best group of players they have ever had, yet only 30% of players in the EPL are English, so…
It’s not that there are too many non Italian players in Serie A it is that there are too few outstanding foreign players in Serie A. The league is weak, the infrastructure is old, the exposure is minimal with inconsistent TV rights and the standard is low; Serie A teams get knocked out in Europe by teams from Belgium, Holland, Norway. Serie A cannot attract the best talent and the talent there is gets sold every season the to PL, to Spain, the Bayern and PSG. Make Serie A attractive again to players and this will bring up the level.