Italy secured their second Nations League group victory, beating Israel 2-1 with goals from Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean.
Donnarumma 6.5 – Responded with character and stability to a few too many chances created by Israel at the start of the second half. Great save at the 64th minute on Jehezkel’s deflection, but could do nothing about Abu Fani’s goal at the end.
Gatti 6 – Compared to Di Lorenzo’s recent outings, no glaring mistakes. Not always precise in his interceptions, but with his roughness he always manages to limit the damage. Decidedly naive for the yellow card received in the 73rd minute.
Buongiorno 6 – Acts as a center-back, but sometimes finds himself on the center-left. A more complicated evening than expected: when Israel had possession, he didn’t always have an easy time with marking.
Bastoni 6.5 – Spalletti started him from the first minute and the response was another good performance. Moved to the center-left, he had license to attack and often triangulated with Dimarco to create numerical superiority.
Bellanova 6 – Spalletti finally gave him an opportunity, but then constantly called him out on the field. The result is a somewhat stiff, uncertain Bellanova. The rapport between the Atalanta full-back and the coach is yet to click.
Cambiaso 6 – Contributed to the defensive phase in the final half hour of the match.
Frattesi 8 – Six goals in 15 games with Spalletti as coach, he’s now a certainty in the box. He unlocked the match with a unique goal, with the game looking more balanced than expected until that point. Stole the ball in midfield from which the second goal was created.
Ricci 6.5 – Another performance of personality in front of the defence: when Italy counterattacked, he systematically went in search of the ball.
Tonali 6.5 – Two games in 72 hours are probably too much for a player who had just returned to the pitch with Newcastle after ten months out, but he didn’t hold back. A routine performance in the first half, something more in the second half.
Dimarco 7 – After the “futbol bailado” goal at the Parc des Princes, he also made the difference with the assist for Frattesi. Spalletti didn’t give up on him and rightly so: when he’s in form, he’s one of the most important players of this national team.
Udogie 6 – Took care of the defensive phase late on.
Raspadori 6.5 – Second striker but also an attacking midfielder, he played to avoid giving reference points to the attack and succeeded quite well. Not as incisive as Friday night, but actively participated in the two goals that decided the match.
Brescianini 6 – Immediately got into the thick of the game.
Kean 7 – The buildup for the lead developed thanks to his excellent ball protection. Patient, precise, at the 63rd minute he was in the right place at the right time and scored Italy’s second goal.
Luciano Spalletti 7 – He has retraced his steps, admitted his mistakes, and in these two matches has given life to a new Italy that now knows which direction to move in. After the disastrous European Championship, one couldn’t imagine a more encouraging restart.
