Italy and Inter midfielder Stefano Sensi equalized for Italy to give the Italian National team at least 1 point. The UEFA Nations League against Bosnia and Herzegovina ended with a draw after Italy being down by the goal of Bosnia with the Roma forward Edin Dzeko.
At the end of the game, Sensi, said, “I’m happy to score, but there’s a lot of regret about the result. Coming back together after ten months wasn’t easy. It was hard to find the spaces. We should’ve been a lot quicker on the ball.”
🗣️ #Sensi: "I'm happy to score, but there's a lot of regret about the result. Coming back together after ten months wasn't easy. It was hard to find the spaces. We should've been a lot quicker on the ball."
Italy Head Coach Roberto Mancini disappointed with the draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UEFA Nations League Matchday 1 ended with a draw and not a convincing performance at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy.
Mancini said, “We’re not happy, we tried to score right until the end and had a few chances. It’s clear that there was a bit of tiredness but the boys played well this evening. It’s normal that a bit of sharpness was lacking, especially in a game where they shut up shop and let us come on to them. This draw doesn’t change anything, we’re upset because we didn’t win the opening game.” There will be some changes made for the game in Amsterdam on Monday: “the gameplan will remain the same but we’ll change something, because not every player will be able to play in two games.”
Wearing the captain’s armband, Leonardo Bonucci made his 96th appearance for Italy in what was to be a fierce contest with Edin Dzeko. “We were unlucky to concede that goal. We were a bit too frantic when trying to find the equaliser. We weren’t great but we got an important point. It was difficult after ten months, but the desire to take all three points is a good sign.” The COVID-19 crisis denied Italy the chance to play in front of their fans. “Fans are the passion of football, they give it life. We miss them a lot.”
Stefano Sensi’s second goal for his country wasn’t enough to secure victory. “I’m happy with the goal, but there’s regret about the draw. We played well, it wasn’t easy to come together after ten months. In the first half, we were a bit slow, but it wasn’t easy because they defended well. We could’ve utilised the space a bit more.”
🗣️ #Mancini: "The draw doesn't change our plans. Our gameplan won't change against the Netherlands, but we'll change personnel. #Chiellini didn't play, because we feared risking injury."
61% Ball Possession ITALY and 39% Ball Possession BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Italy 1 – 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
67′ Stefano Sensi 57′ Edin Dzeko
The challenge is here after 10 months. Italy failing to defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina ending the UEFA Nations League game with a draw. Italy grabbing 1 point in this Group stage – Group 1 on Friday 4 September 2020 at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy. There is a familiar face in Bosnia with AS Roma forward Edin Dzeko. This draw ends the 11th consecutive wins of the Italian team. The next game, Matchday 2, is against Netherlands on Monday 7 September.
Nations League: Group 1
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Against
Goal difference
Points
Netherlands
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
3
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
👉 Italy
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
Poland
1
0
0
1
0
1
-1
0
This is the fourth challenge between the two national teams; balance in the previous clashes of two Italian victories, both arrived in the recent qualifiers for EURO 2020, and a victory for the Bosnians, obtained in a friendly in Sarajevo back in 1996.
Oh no! What a luck! It is Bosnia and Herzegovina to open the score in the 57th minute. Forward Edin Dzeko defeating Italy goalkeeper Gialuigi Donnarumma with a left footed shot in the center. The assist is by Toni Sunjic.
Ok guys, Italy reacting in the 67th minute to equalize for the 1-1. It is Stefano Sensi to defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Sehic with a right footed shot in the bottom right corner. The assist is by forward Lorenzo Insigne.
Referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos will be assisted by Polychronis Kostaras (GRE) and Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE). The Fourth official will be Ioannis Papadopoulos (GRE).
Here are Italy vs Bosnia and Herzegovina official starting lineups – formations for the UEFA Nations League game Group stage – League A – Group 1 on Friday 4 September 2020 at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy at 20:45. It is Referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos from Greece to direct the game.
ITALY (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Acerbi, Biraghi; Pellegrini, Sensi, Barella; Chiesa, Andrea Belotti, Lorenzo Insigne.
Subs: Salvatore Sirigu, Meret, Giorgio Chiellini, Mancini, Di Lorenzo, Spinazzola, Locatelli, Cristante, Jorginho, Zaniolo, Kean, Ciro Immobile.
Coach: Roberto Mancini
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (4-3-3): Sehic; Cipetic, Sunjic, Sanicanin, Kolasinac; Cimirot, Hadziahmetovic, Gojak; Visca, Dzeko, Hodzic.
Referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos will be assisted by Polychronis Kostaras (GRE) and Lazaros Dimitriadis (GRE). The Fourth official will be Ioannis Papadopoulos (GRE).
By Anna Italia
