Adrien Rabiot and Lucas Digne were decisive against Italy.
AFP
The Blues settled a lot of scores in a more attractive evening than Thursday’s performance against Israel (0-0). They gave back to the Italians, who had won 3-1 in Paris and destroyed the start of the 2024-2026 cycle prepared by Didier Deschamps.
This prestigious victory with a largely overhauled team provided all the “oxygen” that the coach requested. The Blues were realistic this time, scoring on three set pieces, including two headers by Rabiot for his 50th selection.
After the goal from a corner (2nd), then a direct free kick from Lucas Digne awarded to Italian goalkeeper Gugliemo Vicario, replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma (33rd), the “Duke” did it again, again served by Digne on a free kick (65th).
Italy reduced the score through Andrea Cambiaso (35th) but received a lesson, as it had taught one at the Parc des Princes. As in the first leg, the Blues scored a very quick goal. Less than Bradley Barcola’s 13 seconds in September, but after two minutes.
Koné, big match
Rabiot scored his 5th and 6th international goals, underlining the importance of a player who had missed previous rallies. In September he had no club, in October he had only just joined Olympique de Marseille.
Digne, twice decisive passer, thought he scored his first goal, to also honor his 50th selection. His direct free-kick headed for Vicario’s top corner, but UEFA awarded it to the Tottenham goalkeeper’s own goal as the ball hit the bar and then his back.
The two “fifty-year-olds” obviously scored points in this match, but so did Manu Koné, author of a very big recovery match for his 4th selection. The Roma player poisoned the lives of the Italians all match.
Christopher Nkunku, in the role of N.10, sought various solutions. He also pushed Vicario into a difficult save on a long shot (58th). In addition, the Chelsea player recovered balls in a style not unlike that of Antoine Griezmann, the newly retired Blues. In short, he scored more points in the last two meetings than Michael Olise.
Maignan as savior, Thuram disappointing
Mike Maignan saved first place by making a magical save in the very last seconds, on a shot from Moise Kean (90+4th).
Not everything was perfect. Italy quickly reduced the score on a ball lost by Jules Koundé and stolen by Federico Dimarco, who allowed the sharp lane player to serve Andrea Cambiaso two minutes after the second French goal.
And Marcus Thuram was once again disappointing, despite an optimal configuration: in his San Siro garden with his favorite configuration, with two attackers, alongside Randal Kolo Muani.
If he achieved a powerful breakthrough (64th), the Inter scorer was still technically imprecise, and here he is with only 2 goals in 29 selections. But the results are good, the Blues will have a good end of year celebration after the criticism of recent months. The absence of Kylian Mbappé, for the second consecutive rally, went unnoticed on the pitch of a packed San Siro.
They can calmly wait for the draw for the quarter-finals on Friday. They will escape Germany, Spain and Portugal, also first in groups. The Blues could find the Netherlands, Denmark or Serbia and Croatia, Poland or Scotland, with a return match at home.
Not really concerned and with a largely reshuffled team, Belgium lost (1-0) against Israel, in a match relocated to Budapest due to the situation in the Middle East. Yarden Shuan scored the only goal of the match after an error from Matte Smets (86th). A historic victory for Israel, which still finished in last place in group 2 of League A. Third, the Belgians will have to compete in a play-off to maintain their position.
(afp)
