The Azzurri took the game to Holland and showed hints of what their quality midfield can do for years to come, writes Kaustubh Pandey.
Italy’s win over the Netherlands on Monday wasn’t exactly a spotless performance, but it was already a world away from the stunted draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina just three days earlier. Seeing the Nazionale dominate possession, passing statistics and shots on goal, keeping the Dutch on the back foot in their own back yard for 80 minutes of the game, was proof of the new positive attitude brought by Roberto Mancini. Put simply, they had the mentality of a top team.
Kingsley Coman’s header proved the only goal of the game, as Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Final.
Keylor Navas returned from injury, but Marco Verratti still wasn’t fit enough for 90 minutes, so joined ex-Inter striker Mauro Icardi on the bench. Nerazzurri-owned Ivan Perisic was dropped in favour of former Juventus winger Coman.
Manuel Neuer made a tough double save on Neymar, but Robert Lewandowski came even closer when his turn from 12 yards bounced off the upright.
Marco Verratti, Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic are on the bench for the Champions League Final, as PSG take on Bayern Munich.
It kicks off in Lisbon at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
There had been hopes that Italy international Verratti would recover in time from a calf injury to be in the starting XI, replacing Leandro Paredes.
The 27-year-old has only played one full competitive match since February, the Coupe de la Ligue Final against Lyon on July 31.
Italy international Marco Verratti is increasingly likely to start tonight’s Champions League Final for PSG against Bayern Munich.
It kicks off in Lisbon at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
The 27-year-old has only played one full competitive match since February, the Coupe de la Ligue Final against Lyon on July 31.
He suffered a calf injury in training and missed the Champions League quarter-final with Atalanta, only playing seven minutes of the 3-0 semi-final victory over RB Leipzig.
Brazilian defender Marquinhos has claimed Paris Saint-Germain have ‘prepared in the best way possible’ for the match against Atalanta.
The French champions continue their run in the Champions League against Atalanta on Wednesday night, fighting to win their fourth title this term.
“I think the squad have prepared in the best way possible with motivation, with enthusiasm – we’ve had good training sessions,” Marquinhos said at a press conference.
Kylian Mbappé took part in training with his PSG teammates today for the first time since his ankle injury, as the chances of him facing Atalanta grow stronger.
The Champions League quarter-final kicks off in Lisbon on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Mbappé had originally been ruled out of this clash after badly spraining his ankle during the Coupe de France Final against Saint-Etienne on July 24.
However, he was named in the squad travelling to Portugal for the Champions League Final Eight tournament.
According to reports in France, Marco Verratti will not only miss the Atalanta match, but potentially all of the Champions League, should PSG progress.
The Italy international sustained a calf injury during a training session earlier this week, it’s rumoured during a collision with teammate Eric Choupo-Moting.
Verratti is in the squad travelling to Portugal, but his condition is believed to be fairly serious.
Remo Freuler assures Atalanta will face PSG in the Champions League ‘for Bergamo,’ but doesn’t believe Kylian Mbappé and Marco Verratti are ruled out yet.
La Dea are the huge surprise of this season, as in their first ever Champions League tournament, they have reached the Final Eight tournament in Portugal.
They’ll take on Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-final on Wednesday August 12, played behind closed doors on neutral turf.
PSG confirm Marco Verratti has ‘some muscular damage’ and is at risk to face Atalanta, but Kylian Mbappé is back in training.
There were reports in RMC Sport and L’Equipe that Verratti had suffered a serious calf injury in training following a collision with Eric Choupo-Moting.
Further reports insisted the situation was not yet entirely clear and it does seem as if Verratti has some hope ahead of the Champions League quarter-final on August 12.
There are reports in France that Marco Verratti will be out of the PSG squad taking on Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-final after an injury in training.
According to RMC Sport, the Italy international sustained the injury during a game between ranks on Tuesday after colliding with another player, who L'Equipe have named as Eric Choupo-Moting.
Tests today confirmed a calf injury, which would almost certainly rule him out of the showdown with Atalanta.
