Riccardo Montolivo rued Italy’s wasted opportunities in a 2-2 draw with Nigeria. “We need to be more incisive.”
Riccardo Montolivo rued Italy’s wasted opportunities in a 2-2 draw with Nigeria. “We need to be more incisive.”
The Azzurri had been 1-0 up at Craven Cottage with Giuseppe Rossi, but Bright Dike and Shola Ameobi turned it all around in the space of four minutes.
Click here to watch highlights of Italy-Nigeria.
“We had a few chances to finish off the game at 1-0 and didn’t do it, so we need to be more incisive,” the Milan midfielder told Rai Sport.
“It’s a shame, as we allowed Nigeria back into the match with two mistakes when we had it under control.”
This game saw the new partnership of Rossi and Mario Balotelli tested out with good results.
“I think Rossi and Balotelli combined well, exchanged the ball rapidly and are two important players for Italy.
“Mario wanted to score and had several opportunities. He played in a very generous manner and when he does that the team will always appreciate his efforts.”
The problem, however, remains at the back with another two goals conceded on crosses and a fourth consecutive draw.
“On the first goal there was a push on Manuel Pasqual. Having said that, we certainly need to improve on our defending on set plays and in the air,” noted Montolivo,
“We need to rediscover that solidity that we had in previous games. We’ve conceded too many goals against Armenia, Denmark and Nigeria.”