TURIN, ITALY (AFP) - Juventus completed their Champions League group phase with a largely uneventful 1-0 win over Malmo which allowed them to qualify for the last 16 as Group H winners. Massimiliano Allegri's side leapfrogged Chelsea to claim top spot after Moise Kean headed the only goal of the game and Chelsea conceded a last-gasp equaliser at Zenit Saint Petersburg. Malmo finish the group bottom with a single point after Italy forward Kean struck in the 18th minute with his first Champions League goal for Juve, a close-range header from Federico Bernardeschi's delicate cross clipped in with the outside of his boot. His goal put Juve on 15 points from their six group games, two more than Chelsea who alongside the Italians had already qualified for the knockouts. There was precious little excitement on display on a night a cold snap swept across northern Italy, with ground staff at the Allianz Stadium having to sweep off mounds of snow in the hours before the match. Kean had the best chance to add to his side's total with eight minutes left when he failed to tap home on the rebound after Adrien Rabiot's shot was fumbled by Ismael Diawara. Top spot should give Juve an easier draw in the next round and allows them to end the group stage in a positive mood after being demolished by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out. More on this topic Related Story Football: Chelsea blow bid for first place as Zenit snatch dramatic Champions League draw Related Story Football: Man United's youngsters held by Young Boys in Champions League
PARIS (AFP, REUTERS) - European champions Italy and Portugal, the side they succeeded, could meet for a place at the 2022 World Cup after being drawn in the same play-off bracket on Friday (Nov 26). The Azzurri and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal both finished second in their qualifying groups, behind Switzerland and Serbia respectively. Italy will host North Macedonia in the play-off first round for Path C, with Turkey visiting Portugal, before the winners face off for a spot at next year's finals in Qatar. The 12 teams were split into three four-team paths - each with its own semi-finals and final. Seeded teams were guaranteed a home game in the semi-finals. The three winning teams from each path qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. Path A - Semi-final 1: Scotland v Ukraine; Semi-final 2: Wales v Austria Path B - Semi-final 3: Russia v Poland; Semi-final 4: Sweden v Czech Republic Path C - Semi-final 5: Italy v North Macedonia; Semi-final 6: Portugal v Turkey More on this topic Related Story Football: Argentina v Brazil match officials suspended for 'serious errors' Related Story Football: Denmark to wear kits highlighting human rights issues in Qatar
BASEL (REUTERS) - Jorginho missed a penalty as Italy were held to a 0-0 draw by Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday (Sept 5), a result that meant Roberto Mancini's side equalled the world record for international matches unbeaten in a row. Italy have now not lost for 36 consecutive matches, matching Brazil's record set between 1993 and 1996. The result could have been more positive had Jorginho converted from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after Domenico Berardi had been fouled, but the Chelsea midfielder was thwarted by home goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Italy had further chances to snatch victory but had to settle for a draw, meaning they remain top of qualification Group C on 11 points from five games, four ahead of the second-placed Swiss, who have two matches in hand on the Azzurri. Mancini's side came into the match having disappointingly drawn 1-1 with Bulgaria on Wednesday in their first match since becoming European champions two months ago. But the visitors were much the better side in the first half in Basel and should have taken the lead through good chances for Berardi and Lorenzo Insigne, both of whom were denied by Sommer. The best chance of the night came seven minutes into the second half after Ricardo Rodriguez, trying to atone for being caught in possession, lunged in on Berardi to concede a penalty. Jorginho, who missed his spot kick in Italy's penalty shootout victory over England in the Euro 2020 final, stepped up but placed his effort far too close to Sommer, who made an easy save. Sommer proved impossible to breach as he denied Insigne again to leave Italy heading home having been frustrated for the second successive qualifier. The Azzurri face Lithuania on Wednesday, while Switzerland travel to Northern Ireland. More on this topic Related Story Football: Lingard double helps England ease past Andorra Related Story Football: Spain back on track with Georgia thrashing
LONDON (AFP) - Italy coach Roberto Mancini hailed his side's performance and said Italy "dominated" England after conceding an early goal at Wembley on Sunday (July 11) to win the Euro 2020 final. "We did well. We conceded a goal straight away and struggled, but then we dominated the game," he told RAI Sport following the 3-2 win on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after extra time. "The lads were wonderful, I don't know what more to say. It's important for all the people and all the fans. "I hope they're celebrating (in Italy)." Leonardo Bonucci cancelled out Luke Shaw's half-volley in the second half, and the two teams could not be separated in extra time. It went to a shoot-out, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making two decisive saves after Marcus Rashford hit the woodwork. Italy won the title for the second time after 1968. "It's incredible, when I think back to where we started," said 34-year-old defender Bonucci. Italy are now on a 34-match unbeaten run, bouncing back in style after suffering the humiliation of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. "When you are at the bottom of the hole, you see how great men regain their strength," Bonucci added. "I want to say thank you to our great coach, our great team, our great country. We are full of joy and happiness." Captain Giorgio Chiellini said "there was something magical in the air" since the tournament kicked off in Rome a month ago. "A few tears fell. We all deserved it, at this age we realise even more what it means to win such a trophy," said the 36-year-old. "We have been saying that something magical is in the air since the end of May, day after day." Donnarumma replaced veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon after the qualifying disaster three years ago. "We were amazing, we didn't give up an inch. We did it from scratch, we are a fantastic team and we deserve this success," said Donnarumma. "The goal could have killed us, but we always remained vigilant and never give up."
LONDON (AFP) - Italy inflicted more penalty heartache on England to win Sunday’s (July 11) Euro 2020 final 3-2 in a shoot-out, Bukayo Saka missing the decisive kick to deny the hosts after the game at Wembley had ended in a draining 1-1 draw through extra time. Saka’s kick was repelled by Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Italy the Henri Delaunay trophy for the second time at the end of a shoot-out in which England scored their first two penalties but then saw Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho also fail. Jorginho could have won it for Italy only for his penalty to be saved by Jordan Pickford, giving renewed hope to the England support who had earlier created a febrile atmosphere with their team looking set to run away with this final. The nerve-shredding climax seemed unlikely given the way the match began, with Luke Shaw scoring for Gareth Southgate’s England after just one minute and 57 seconds, the fastest goal ever in a European Championship final stunning a team who arrived here on a record 33-match unbeaten run. Italy were shell-shocked and struggled to recover in a stadium where the official attendance was 67,173 but more England fans clearly managed to enter after disgraceful scenes when supporters without tickets stormed the gates. Serious questions will be asked about security – the game was also briefly held up by a pitch invader late on – but English fans were obviously desperate to see their team finally win a major tournament for the first time since the 1966 World Cup. Italy, though, had most of the possession after falling behind and ultimately deserved their equaliser when it came midway through the second half through Leonardo Bonucci. With no further scoring, this was the first European Championship final to be decided on penalties since 1976. It is more penalty agony for England, whose list of previous shoot-out exits included losing to Italy at Euro 2012 as well as in the Euro 96 semi-finals against Germany when Southgate missed the crucial kick. While their 55-year wait to win another major international title goes on, Italy’s own particular half-century of hurt is over. The Azzurri have won four World Cups but their sole European Championship triumph before this dated back to 1968. They had lost two European Championship finals in little over two decades, with the agony of losing to France via a golden goal in Rotterdam in 2000 and then being torn apart by Spain in 2012, going down 4-0 in Kiev. More on this topic Related Story Football: 'Same again', Southgate tells England before Euro final against Italy Related Story Football: Mystic meerkats predict England will win Euro 2020 final Baying crowd Roberto Mancini’s team had an extra day’s rest in between the semi-finals and this final but they appeared completely unprepared for the experience that awaited them in London. England’s baying supporters created a hostile atmosphere, and that combined with Southgate’s tactical choices seemed to catch the Italians off guard. England brought back Kieran Trippier in place of Saka in the only change from their semi-final, reverting to a five-man defence. Within two minutes the choice of system paid dividends as England broke forward, Harry Kane opening the play up to Trippier, who crossed from the right to the far post where the arriving Shaw scored on the half-volley. Italy, who had not been behind all tournament, were stunned and the only surprise was that England did not try to press home their obvious superiority. Instead they allowed Mancini’s side to have the ball, confident they could withstand whatever was thrown at them. Italian fightback England were rarely seriously troubled in the first half even if Federico Chiesa remained a danger. It was a rather different story in the second half once Mancini had turned to his bench, notably replacing hapless striker Ciro Immobile and sending on Domenico Berardi. As the game opened up, Chiesa probed again and forced a save from Pickford, before a John Stones header from Trippier’s corner was tipped over by Donnarumma. More on this topic Related Story Football: 'Bring it home', Prince William wishes England the best at Euro final Related Story Football: 'The biggest day'; fan frenzy in London ahead of Euro 2020 final The equaliser arrived in the 67th minute. Marco Verratti stooped to meet a corner with a header that Pickford tipped onto the post, but Bonucci was on hand to score the rebound and celebrated with the Italy fans massed at that end of Wembley. Italy then lost the outstanding Chiesa to injury. Lorenzo Insigne did not last into extra time either, and Verratti came off too. England, meanwhile, sent on Jack Grealish in the hope of a bit of magic, but it would come down to penalties, and more gut-wrenching disappointment for them.
LONDON (REUTERS) - Spain coach Luis Enrique believes Tuesday's (July 6) Euro 2020 semi-final against Italy could hinge on who dominates possession. Spain broke a tournament record for possession in their opening game against Sweden but had little to show for it as the game finished 0-0. However, he said his team, rather like this new-look Italy side that have captured neutrals' hearts, were most comfortable with the ball at their feet. "That's one of the first questions to settle. We are leaders in ball possession but they can also make use of it and enjoy the ball, that'll be the first battle we need to conquer," Luis Enrique told a news conference on Monday. "They can adapt to not having the ball, they've done that in the tournament in certain stages but they're more comfortable with the ball and stronger with it. "Our objective is clear, we want the ball, we need it, if we have to do something different we will adapt but we prefer to have possession of the ball." Italy has played a big role in Luis Enrique's career as he got his first major coaching job with AS Roma a decade ago before going on to take charge of Celta Vigo, Barcelona and the Spanish national side. He has vivid memories of facing Italy as a player too, in particular when Mauro Tassotti broke his nose in a 1994 World Cup quarter-final defeat with a flying elbow which went unpunished on the day, although led to the striker being served an eight-game ban. The coach laughed when the infamous moment was raised but said he had moved on from it. "It's been so many years, and my nose is all the better for it. I've spoken to Tassotti since and he's an honest, good guy. It's formed part of our history, although I'm sure both of us would have preferred that moment to go differently," he said. "I have a great memory of my time in Italy and the people so it's not relevant. This a great semi-final game where Spain and Italy have the chance to reach the final and the rest is just history." Forward Pablo Sarabia is Spain's only absentee while Italy are likely to bring in Emerson at left back for Leonardo Spinazzola, who tore his Achilles tendon in the quarter-final win over Belgium. There will be few Italian or Spanish supporters at the match at Wembley due to England's coronavirus restrictions on visitors. Luis Enrique conceded it would be "strange" to have so few fans from the two teams in the crowd but said he would not "waste energy on things I can't control".
LONDON (REUTERS) - Italy survived a huge scare as they scrambled past outsiders Austria into the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 with substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina scoring extra-time goals to earn them a 2-1 win at Wembley on Saturday (June 26). The Azzurri were the standout team during a perfect group phase but Roberto Mancini’s side misfired badly as they left their Roman fortress for the first time in the tournament and looked in danger of a shock exit. In the end the old adage that good teams find a way even when below their best was apt as Italy extended their unbeaten run to a national record of 31 games, setting up a quarter-final clash against Belgium or Portugal. Austria, playing in the knockout phase at the Euros for the first time, rocked the Italians in the second half and Marco Arnautovic headed past Gianluigi Donnarumma but his joy was cut short when a VAR check for offside saved Italy. Mancini reacted by sending on four attacking substitutes late in the second half and Italy’s depth proved decisive in the end as Juventus winger Chiesa and Atalanta midfielder Pessina got them out of jail with quality finishes. Chiesa drove an angled shot past Daniel Bachmann in the 95th minute after showing great control to bring down a pass by Leonardo Spinazzola. Pessina, who also scored against Wales, gave Italy breathing space 10 minutes later with a clinical left-foot strike. But a courageous Austria were not done. Substitute Sasa Kalajdzic scored with a stooping header with six minutes left and Italy’s nerves were well and truly frazzled by the time the final whistle sounded. Mancini has used all but one of his 26-man squad in guiding Italy to the quarter-finals – the stage they reached in 2016 only to lose to Germany on penalties. Having players like Chiesa and Pessina in reserve when Plan A is not working will fuel belief that Italy, despite Saturday’s stutter, can claim the title for the first time since 1968. “We knew we had to suffer because Austria are the typical side who do not allow you to play well,” Mancini said. “The substitutes made the difference for us, but everybody gave their best tonight. I’m happy because the lads gave everything to win even when we were tired.” Slick start The Azzurri had swaggered their way through their group games in Rome, scoring seven unanswered goals, and Mancini’s side began in slick fashion on a perfect night for football. With powerhouse wing back Spinazzola marauding at will down the left flank, Austria manager Franco Foda’s pre-match assertion that his side had a 10% chance of stopping the Azzurri machine looked about right. Spinazzola lashed one shot wide before cutting a dangerous ball back for Nicolo Barella whose sweet strike was saved by the outstretched foot of Bachmann. Italy's players celebrate their first goal. PHOTO: AFP Ciro Immobile, back after being rested along with the rest of Mancini’s first-choice attack for the final group game against Wales, then sent a dipping right-foot effort thudding against the post from 25 metres. But it was not all one-way traffic as Austria exploited space in behind Italy’s defence and on one such occasion Arnautovic blazed a shot over the crossbar. Foda would have been the more satisfied manager at halftime and, as his side’s confidence grew after the break, Italy’s strangely oozed away as their fans went quiet. Austria skipper David Alaba curled a free kick just over the bar and it all began to get a little fraught for Italy when Xaver Schlager and Arnautovic both went close. More on this topic Related Story Football: Dolberg stars as Denmark outclass Wales to reach Euro 2020 quarter-finals Related Story Football: Bale quits interview after question about his Wales future Arnautovic then thought he had broken the deadlock with a close-range header from a tight angle in the 65th minute but a VAR check ruled he had been fractionally offside. Mancini looked stone-faced in the technical area and acted immediately, hauling off the disappointing Marco Verratti and Barella, replacing them with Manuel Locatelli and Pessina. Next he threw on Chiesa and Andrea Belotti as extra time loomed. The changes eventually paid off to crack the Austrian resistance and get the job done, but only just. “It’s hard for me to find the words,” Arnautovic said. “If luck goes our way, we win the game in 90 minutes.” More on this topic Related Story Football: 'It's not Belgium v Ronaldo' says Vertonghen ahead of Portugal showdown Related Story With live screenings binned, football fans in S’pore lap up Euro 2020 action at home
ROME (REUTERS) - Italy topped their group in the European Championship after a third straight win on Sunday (June 20), with a first-half goal from Matteo Pessina giving them a 1-0 victory over 10-man Wales, who also advance to the knockout stages of the competition. The Italians had already guaranteed their progress, while Wales secured a berth too by finishing ahead of Switzerland on goal difference. The Swiss, who could still advance as one of the four best third-placed teams, beat Turkey 3-1 in Baku. Italy manager Roberto Mancini made eight changes to rest most of his first-choice starters, but Italy still dominated and missed several chances either side of Pessina's 42nd-minute goal, when he steered a low Marco Verratti free kick into the far corner. Welsh centre back Ethan Ampadu was shown a straight red card in the 55th minute for stamping on Federico Bernadeschi's foot, and Wales then missed their best chance of an equaliser in the 74th when Gareth Bale volleyed over the bar from close range. Italy will next face the runners-up of Group C, while Wales will take on the runners-up of Group B. More on this topic Related Story Football: Germany stun holders Portugal 4-2 at Euro 2020 Related Story Football: Lacklustre England held to goalless draw by Scotland at Euro 2020
ROME (REUTERS) - Manuel Locatelli bagged a brace of goals for the first time in his career as imperious Italy defeated Switzerland 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday (June 16) to become the first side into the last-16 of Euro 2020. Midfielder Locatelli started and finished the move from which he opened the scoring, netting from close range following Sassuolo team mate Domenico Berardi's excellent run down the right wing. He then rifled a shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box early in the second half. Ciro Immobile added a late third to secure back-to-back 3-0 wins for Italy in the tournament, which extends their unbeaten run to 29 games, the last 10 of which have been victories where they have scored 31 goals and conceded none. Italy lead Group A with six points after two rounds of matches and are ahead of Wales (four), Switzerland (one) and Turkey (zero). They can seal top spot with a draw in their final group game against Wales on Sunday when the Swiss face Turkey. The Italians outclassed their opponents and delighted the home crowd who have now seen their side score three times in a European Championship match for the second game in a row having never done so previously. Italy skipper Giorgio Chiellini, making his 14th European Championship appearance, more than any other outfield player for Italy, thought he had scored when he powered past two defenders to fire in from close range only for his effort to be ruled out for handball. The Italians were not to be denied, however, even after Chiellini went off injured, with Locatelli launching a move with a brilliant pass and then finishing it off after Berardi had cut in from the right in the 26th minute. The Swiss pressed high after the break in search of an equaliser but it was Italy who scored again with Locatelli rifling in from the edge of the box for his second goal of the evening. More on this topic Related Story Football: Wales beat Turkey to close on Euro 2020 knockout stage Related Story Football: Miranchuk goal edges Russia past Finland at Euro 2020 Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma stopped a double effort from Steven Zuber in the 64th minute to protect their flawless record over the last 10 games, before Immobile twice fired narrowly wide. The Italy striker did get onto the scoresheet in the 89th, however, thumping in his shot from 20 metres to beat keeper Yann Sommer. Switzerland have now won none of their last nine matches against Italy and last beat their neighbours 28 years ago. More on this topic Related Story Football: Denmark clash 'not the same' without Eriksen, says Belgium's Martinez Related Story Football: Pogba plays down Ruediger 'bite' at Euro 2020
BOLOGNA (REUTERS) - Italy swept aside the Czech Republic 4-0 on Friday (June 4) with a ruthless attacking display and all-around performance that could make them a dangerous side when Euro 2020 kicks off next week. Lazio forward Ciro Immobile put the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute against the run of play when he latched onto a weak clearance and swept the ball into the net after it took a slight deflection off a Czech defender. “It is still early to say where we can go, but we know what we are capable of,” said Napoli midfielder Lorenzo Insigne, who scored and had an assist to mark his 30th birthday. “The coach has created a great group, he has given us the conditions to be able to express ourselves at our best.” Euro 2020 will mark Italy’s return to a major tournament following a five-year gap. After reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Italy face Turkey in the opening game of the tournament at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on June 11 before hosting Switzerland and Wales in the Italian capital to complete their Group A fixtures. Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella doubled the lead for Italy just before the break when he dribbled toward goal and fired a shot home from just outside the penalty area. In the second half, Italy knocked the ball around in midfield and picked apart the Czechs who could not hold possession or find any space to create chances. Insigne made it 3-0 in the 66th minute when he took an Immobile pass and sent a sharp right-footed strike past the keeper. Insigne turned provider minutes later when he set up Domenico Beradi, who completed the scoring. The Czechs will seek to regroup against Albania on Tuesday in another tune-up for the tournament where they will face favourites England, host nation Scotland, and 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia in Group D.
CAGLIARI, ITALY (REUTERS) - Italy warmed up for the European Championship in style with a 7-0 thrashing of San Marino in a friendly on Friday (May 26). Roberto Mancini's side struggled to break down the minnows early on in Sardinia, but captain Federico Bernardeschi hammered them into a 31st minute lead before Sassuolo defender Gian Marco Ferrari added a second three minutes later on his debut. Matteo Politano fired home four minutes into the second half to make it 3-0 and Torino striker Andrea Belotti scored a well-taken fourth before Matteo Pessina netted a fifth moments later. A brilliant volley from Politano and a close-range finish by Pessina late on sealed a seventh straight win for Italy. Italy play one more warm-up match ahead of the June 11-July 11 Euro 2020 against Czech Republic next Friday in Bologna. The Italians play in the tournament's opening match against Turkey before facing Switzerland and Wales, all in Rome. "The result was obvious, it was important to be aggressive and to play well with speed in our passing," Mancini told Rai Sport. "Some performances gave me something to think about (for the final Euros squad selection). I've some very good players." The Azzurri coach gave some of the fringe members of his provisional 33-man Euro 2020 squad a chance to impress as he looks to cut his selection to 26 before the tournament, but Italy struggled to make any inroads in the opening half hour. Bernardeschi's sixth goal for his country broke the deadlock as he scored with a powerful strike from the edge of the area before Ferrari capitalised on a goalkeeping error to fire home the second as Mancini's men eventually clicked into gear. After the break, the floodgates opened as the defensive mistakes started to creep into San Marino's play. Politano's first goal came about due to a defensive slip, before Belotti's 12th Italy strike extended the advantage. After Pessina's fifth, his first goal for his country, Politano became the second-ever Napoli player to score a double for Italy. Pessina then capped a night to remember for the Atalanta midfielder with his second. Italy are now unbeaten in 26 matches under Mancini, the country's second longest run without losing, one ahead of Marcelo Lippi and only behind the great Vittorio Pozzo, whose side did not lose in 30 games between 1935 and 1939.
VILNIUS (REUTERS) - Goals from Stefano Sensi and Ciro Immobile earned Italy a 2-0 victory over Lithuania on Wednesday (March 31) as Roberto Mancini's side got their third win from three games in 2022 World Cup qualification Group C. Mancini made 10 changes to the side who beat Bulgaria 2-0 on Sunday and it showed as the visitors struggled to break down Lithuania on their artificial pitch in the opening period. After the break however, Italy stepped up a gear, with halftime substitute Sensi firing the opening goal two minutes into the second half, before Immobile converted a stoppage-time penalty to make sure of the three points. Another comfortable victory saw Italy remain top of their group on nine points after a sixth win in a row, with the Azzurri not conceding a single goal in that run. In Wednesday's other Group C match, Northern Ireland were held to a 0-0 draw by Bulgaria in Belfast. Italy are now unbeaten in 25 matches under Mancini, the joint-second longest run without losing, level with Marcelo Lippi, among Italian coaches. "The pitch was difficult and it wasn't even wet," Mancini told Rai Sport. "We still had many chances to score. "The glass is half full. (Group rivals) Switzerland only won 1-0 at home against Lithuania three days ago. These matches are always tough, you cannot be brilliant all the time, but the important thing was to win." Against inferior opponents, the result never really looked in doubt, despite Italy's inability to create any openings of note early on. Inter Milan's Sensi came off the bench and arrowed a strike into the net less than two minutes after his introduction. There was just the one worrying moment for Italy, with Tautvydas Eliosius presented with a glorious chance to snatch an unlikely leveller, but Gianluigi Donnarumma made a fine save. Lazio striker Immobile missed a hat-trick of glaring chances to score, but made no mistake from the spot after Federico Chiesa had been fouled.
LONDON • Italy have been drawn to face Spain while top-ranked Belgium will meet world champions France in the last four of the Nations League Finals, Uefa said on Thursday. The matches will take place next year at the San Siro in Milan on Oct 6 and the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Oct 7 respectively. The final will be in Milan on Oct 10, while the third-place play-off will be on the same day in Turin. The Azzurri, who topped their Nations League Group A1, will face Spain for the first time in a major tournament since they beat them 2-0 in the last 16 of Euro 2016. Their most recent meeting in a World Cup qualifier saw Spain win 3-0 in Madrid three years ago and La Roja are in form after thrashing Germany 6-0 in Seville en route to topping Group A4. Both sides have ushered in new blood in the wake of World Cup disappointment - Spain failed to get out of their group, while Italy did not qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia. "Like us, they have a lot of new players and are still putting out a strong team. They have a different style now but are still a technical side," Italy coach Roberto Mancini said. "Spain are a great team... they can count on an incredible pool of players in this moment, in the past few years. So they are rebuilding the team and they are doing it well, just like us." His Spain counterpart Luis Enrique added: "Italy may look a little like us in that they want to regain the level of yesteryear. They're in a period of change. "What's certain is that we and Italy have followed a similar, parallel path, in the sense that we are energising the national teams with young players and, of course, by improving our styles. "We have time until October to study them and we'll see their strengths and weaknesses." Group A3 winners France renew their rivalry with Belgium, having beaten them 1-0 in their last meeting at the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia before going on to win the tournament. The last time the Red Devils beat Les Bleus in a competitive game was in a World Cup qualifier in 1981 but, like their previous encounter, coach Roberto Martinez is expecting a tight game. "It was good to play with them in a great tournament, we have improved a lot since then," the Belgium boss said. "We are good in the Fifa ranking, we have developed many players and both teams know each other very well. We share great memories of the World Cup. "It will be a fantastic game, but I think it has been such a successful campaign in the Nations League that whoever you were going to meet, it was going to be that sort of big-game feeling." France coach Didier Deschamps is also looking forward to the clash as it means a return to Juventus' home ground, where he spent several trophy-laden seasons as a player. "On a personal level, I'm really happy to be playing this game in Turin, in a stadium I know well and where I have a lot of friends and acquaintances," he added. "It'll be a great game which will be hopefully played with a great atmosphere in a stadium full of supporters." REUTERS
SARAJEVO, BOSNIA (REUTERS) - Italy gave another impressive performance as they reached the Nations League final four and extended their unbeaten run to 22 games with a 2-0 win away to Bosnia on Wednesday (Nov 18). Andrea Belotti broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute and Domenico Berardi added the second with a magnificent volley midway through the second half as Italy topped Group A1 with 12 points from six games. Italy were again missing coach Roberto Mancini after he tested positive for Covid-19 as well as a number of key players including injured defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, and forward Ciro Immobile over a Covid-19 related issue. Bosnia, already relegated, were without Ibrahim Sehic, Sead Kolasinac and Edin Dzeko after they tested positive for Covid-19. "The coach wants us to play our football wherever we go and that is the mentality we've really taken in," said Italy winger Lorenzo Insigne. "This shirt has to be honoured every time and we give our all for Italy." Italy's biggest fault was a failure to take their chances and Belotti had squandered two before putting them ahead. Insigne, who curled a shot against the post late in the first half, was in inspired form and set up the goal with an outswinging cross which the player known as the Rooster converted despite not making proper contact. The second goal was a masterpiece as Manuel Locatelli lifted the ball over the Bosnia defence and his Sassuolo team mate Berardi met it on the volley as the ball dropped over his shoulder and hooked it into the net. Federico Bernardeschi smashed a late shot against the crossbar as Italy cruised home.