The Azzurri failed to score against Portugal and ended their Nations League campaign, but who impressed and disappointed in the Football Italia Player Ratings?
Words: Ciro Di Brita – @Ciruzzo36
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7
Untroubled in the first half. Got down sharply to palm over a strong William Carvalho effort in the second.
Alessandro Florenzi – 7
The Azzurri failed to score against Portugal and ended their Nations League campaign, but who impressed and disappointed in the Football Italia Player Ratings?
Words: Ciro Di Brita – @Ciruzzo36
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7
Untroubled in the first half. Got down sharply to palm over a strong William Carvalho effort in the second.
Alessandro Florenzi – 7
Began the match determined to keep his side pressing high up, signified that drive early when he intercepted and took a shot from outside the box that went close. Some good defending inside his own box on a couple of occasions.
Leonardo Bonucci – 6
A couple of sloppy passes that went straight to his opponents. Headed wide when half the stadium and some players thought he had opened the scoring towards the break.
Giorgio Chiellini – 7
The Captain earning his 100th cap made a massive block on a Bruma goal-bound effort and was the better of the two central defenders on the night. Was much more comfortable in rolling the ball into his midfielders than his partner and kept his men pushing forward.
Cristiano Biraghi – 7
Retained his place after his winning goal against the Poles to earn his fourth cap. Made one mazy run into the box in which he gave a half-hearted look for a penalty. Defended stoutly in the second when being out numbered down his flank, as Portugal grew into the game.
Jorginho – 7
Was once again the metronome in the centre of the pitch linking defence to attack. One little flick around corner released Insigneinto a dangerous position that his former Napoli teammate struck fiercely towards goal. Tired in the second half.
Marco Verratti – 8
Was involved in everything good the Azzurri did. Played a beautifully weighted through ball for Immobile to run on to, but unfortunately the Lazio man couldn’t capitalise on it. Sent Biraghi away down the left in the second half after some excellent close ball control. Was perhaps sacrificed for the last few minutes, as Coach Roberto Mancini went in search of a goal.
Nicolò Barella – 8
Had a tough night dealing with two strong Portugal defensive lines of four, while still providing the lungs for the Azzurri midfield. Drew a few of fouls in dangerous areas and played beyond his years and experience.
Federico Chiesa – 5.5
Poor game from the Fiorentina man, as he never imprinted himself into the attacking areas of the field. Was booked for an elbow on Mario Rui before being hauled off.
Ciro Immobile – 5.5
Came in to replace the injured Federico Bernardeschi as the only change from the 1-0 win away to Poland in October. The Lazio hitman had a lot to prove tonight and began the match with a bit of energy, but soon faded from the game. Blazed over the rebound from Insigne’s early shot and seemed to drop his head.
Lorenzo Insigne – 6.5
Stung Rui Patricio’s palms from distance early in the game after combining perfectly with his former Napoli teammate Jorginho. Linked up well out on the left wing with his midfielders, but just couldn’t get the ball anywhere near Immobile or Chiesa.
Substitutes:
Kevin Lasagna – 6
Replaced the ineffective Immobile with 15 minutes to go and gave it a shot at trying to get on the end of something. Probably would have been better off getting more minutes in his legs, as Mancini waited too long to make a change.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 6
Strangely Mancini decided to bring Pellegrini on for Verratti, who had been the Azzurri’s best player on the night. The Roma midfielder got involved straight away and heading into the relieved arms of Rui Patricio at the death.
Domenico Berardi – N/A
Got a few minutes at the end when he replaced Chiesa.