Italy goes to the European Championship
One point against Ukraine is enough - and Italy will get it: the defending champions will be back at next year's European Football Championship. But the Ukrainians made it anything but easy for Luciano Spalletti's team.
With spirited attacking soccer, but without scoring, European champions Italy secured their ticket to the European Championship in Germany in the rousing "Group C final" against Ukraine. A 0-0 draw in Leverkusen was enough for the defending champions to maintain second place in the table behind England. Ukraine, on the other hand, who are level on 14 points, will have to take the detour via the play-offs in March.
In September, national coach Luciano Spalletti took charge of the Squadra Azzurra in order to avert another debacle after missing out on the World Cup finals in Qatar - and thanks to the 5:2 victory over traumatic opponents North Macedonia, Italy held all the trump cards against Ukraine. But the war-torn opponents, who had prepared for their "home game away from home" in Gdansk, Poland, and had traveled to Germany on Saturday, also thought they had a "good chance", as Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov announced: "I don't need to motivate anyone in the team."
In the BayArena, the almost 30,000 spectators gave the fans goosebumps even before kick-off, while a huge Ukraine jersey stretched across the center circle: First, "Il Canto degli Italiani" rang out fervently from the throats of the Tifosi, before the visiting fans applauded loudly during the Ukrainian anthem.
The action on the pitch was also fair but fiery, with both teams repeatedly pushing forward dangerously. Italy's top striker Federico Chiesa (6') missed the best chance from point-blank range, while at the other end keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (14') had to summon all his skill against Georgy Sudakov. After around 20 minutes, the action calmed down briefly and both sides were now more compact. But then Italy stepped up a gear and the Tifosi were crying out for a goal, but David Frattesi (29) and Co. missed chance after chance.
The Azzurri continued to set the tone after the break, but Ukraine fought back with zeal - and suddenly Italy were swimming. After Michailo Mudryk's shot from an acute angle, Donnarumma (65') was again on hand in the greatest of emergencies, and a little later the captain also made a save against Viktor Tsygankov (66').
Italy's victory over North Macedonia in September secured their qualification for the European Football Championship 2024 with a game to spare, as a draw against Ukraine in their final group stage match was sufficient. Despite the Ukrainians' determination, Italy managed to maintain their position, setting them up to defend their European Championships title next year, which will be hosted in Germany.
Source: www.ntv.de
