Italy beat Wales 1-0 in a match in which they deserved thrashing. Roberto Mancini’s men passed over the team captained by Gareth Bale thanks to a stellar Verratti and a goal from Pessina . The Azzurra went to the second round as first in the group and, despite losing, the Welsh advance as second to the final round of the Eurocup.
Last day of group A. Italy had already qualified for the round of 16 of the Eurocup, but had to secure first place. For this he was worth a draw against a Wales who, with a foot and a half in the final round, longed for that victory that would allow them to be in the next phase as the first classified in their group.
Roberto Mancini put in new faces to look for that final leadership and give rest to the theoretical starting points for the round of 16 match. Without occasions on the lawn of the Olympic in Rome , before the end of ten minutes of the match the goal of Switzerland was known. With that result and the one that was being experienced in the capital of Italy , Azzurra and Wales were in the eighth as first and second respectively, so you could breathe an air of that mythical biscotto.
But nothing about biscotto. Italy , already classified, went for all. Roberto Mancini’s men besieged the Welsh area incessantly. Although there was overcrowding in the center of the field, those in blue always managed to overcome the pressure of the rival team. Verratti led the baton at the core of the Azzurra and organized and guided his people as the best conductor.
The Italians, in front of the Welsh wall, often resorted to lateral centers, but Belotti was always late. At other times they tried their luck with long-range shots, like one by Emerson that Ward found no trouble blocking the leather. But what was clear was that Italy was a cyclone that did not allow Wales anything and that, thanks to its tactics, it consolidated itself as one of the great favorites to win the European Championship.
Pessina breaks the biscuit
The Welsh had a chance that could have changed everything, but Gunter’s header brushed past Donnarumma’s squad. And is that the team captained by Gareth Bale was showing very erratic passing and without great ideas to do some damage to Italy. Damage they could do to Marco Verratti with two consecutive hard fouls. From the second the Italians’ goal was born and the one who hung it was the PSG midfielder. Pessina appeared to put the inside of the foot and place the leather in a place that Ward could not reach.
With the 1-0 they reached the interval and after the rest time the Italians returned to the green to bite. They did not take long to enjoy chances, but the most dangerous was a long free kick that Bernardeschi crashed into the post. Minutes later the Italian gave the scare after a hard tackle by Ampadu , who saw the direct red without the referee of the match doubting for a moment. The expulsion complicated life for a Wales that had already been suffering throughout the match and that was not going to change their feelings for the remainder of the game.
Neither 10 nor 11 Gareth Bale was able to guide his people. Neither was a young Daniel James who also wanted to pull the bandwagon, but the quality of the Manchester United footballer was not matched by that of his team mates. The two stars of the Welsh team did not appear and an Italy that was looking for the third took advantage of this. The one who emerged as the hero of Wales was Ward , who had to strive to save clear chances generated by Belotti and company.
Italy does not kill the party
Despite being mathematically classified, the Azzurra did not take his foot off the gas for a minute. Roberto Mancini’s men did not relax at any time, maintaining the high intensity throughout the match, but they could not kill the game with 2-0. This is football and, as we all know, things can change quickly, but for that you have to score a goal and Gareth Bale sent a very clear chance to the clouds after a volley with his good leg in which he was free of mark.
The Welsh had nothing to lose and that is why they tried to go out a little more and dare, but things are not so easy and even less when you have an Italy ahead of you that is proving to be one of the most reliable teams of this European Championship . With 1-0 the final whistle was reached and both teams advance to the round, the Italians as first and the Welsh, despite the defeat, as second. Switzerland , who also beat Turkey , will have to wait if they advance as one of the four best third-placed teams that will be in the final round.
