Italy-Israel huddle (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Italian defenders dominated in a 4-1 win over Israel Monday night as Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored a brace, while Riccardo Calafiori was among the highest-rated Azzurri players in Udine.
Italy secured a convincing 4-1 win over Israel last night, remaining at the top of their Nations League group.
This means the Azzurri need only one more point to qualify for the quarter-finals and be among the seeded teams at the World Cup qualifiers.
Di Lorenzo scored a brace while wearing the captain’s armband and was the undisputed Man of the Match at the Bluenergy Stadium last night. The Napoli defender was rated 8/10 by Gazzetta and Tuttosport and 7.5/10 by Corriere dello Sport.
The Rome-based paper gave the same rating to Arsenal defender Calafiori, who was not only brilliant defensively, but also contributed to the third Italy goal from Davide Frattesi.
Another Premier League star, Sandro Tonali, shone against Israel, earning a spot-kick converted by Mateo Retegui in the first half. Tonali was another top Italy performer, rated 8 (Gazzetta), 6.5 (CorSport) and 7 (Tuttosport).
Federico Dimarco and Giacomo Raspadori were also impressive, providing one assist each.
Italy player ratings vs. Israel from Italian sports papers
Gazzetta: Vicario 5.5; Di Lorenzo 8, Bastoni 7, Calafiori 7.5; Cambiaso 7.5, Frattesi 7 (86′ Buongiorno N/A), Fagioli 5 (45′ Ricci 6.5), Tonali 8, Dimarco 7.5 (73′ Udogie 6.5); Raspadori 7.5 (73′ Maldini 6.5), Retegui 7 (84′ Lucca N/A). Coach: Spalletti 8.
Corriere dello Sport: Vicario 5.5; Di Lorenzo 7.5, Bastoni 7, Calafiori7.5; Cambiaso 6.5, Frattesi (86′ Buongiorno N/A), Fagioli 5 (45′ Ricci 6.5), Tonali 6.5, Dimarco 7 (73′ Udogie 6.5); Raspadori 7 (73′ Maldini 6), Retegui 6 (84′ Lucca N/A). Coach: Spalletti 7
Tuttosport: Vicario 6; Di Lorenzo 8, Bastoni 6.5, Calafiori 7; Cambiaso 6.5, Frattesi 7 (86′ Buongiorno N/A), Fagioli 5 (45′ Ricci 6.5), Tonali 7, Dimarco 8 (73′ Udogie 6.5); Raspadori 6.5 (73′ Maldini 6), Retegui 6.5 (84′ Lucca N/A). Coach: Spalletti 7
