Report, reaction and analysis
Roberto Mancini's reaction
“We are happy. But we know that after the group stage, we start a new European Championship. It will be different ... I am very happy today because we changed eight players and still played a god game. This is because the guys are very clever and they wanted to win.” Italy will play Ukraine or Austria at Wembley in the last 16.
Aaron Ramsey's verdict
“It was tough for long periods. We were up against a great team, who’ve gone 30 games unbeaten, But again we showed great character. We dug in for Ethan, I feel sorry for him. We had each others’ back out there and we did the job. [After the red card] it was important to stay compact and try to create a couple of opportunities, which we did. We could have nicked a draw on another day ... We have a lot of attacking threat, we keep games really tight and we work hard for each other ... We’re through in second place so we’re delighted.”
Gareth Bale's reaction
“We used a lot of energy, there was lot of running, there were a lot of tired bodies out there. I’m proud of the boys ... I didn’t see the red card [incident] too much, but obviously I’m going to defend Ethan, it was unfortunate ... we have to use the little break we have now to recover.” On his late miss, he says: “I didn’t quite get over the ball enough, so it is what it is.”
Full-time: Italy 1-0 Wales
Wales are into the last 16 by dint of finishing second in Group A! It’s a commendable achievement, especially as it looked in doubt during this match when they conceded to Pessina’s goal and were then reduced to 10 men because of Ampadu’s red card. Italy march on as group winners. They’re equalled their national record by extending their unbeaten run to 30 matches, and they may yet conclude this tournament as European champions. The last time they started a tournament by winning all their group games in Rome (1990), it took Diego Maradona to stop them from claiming glory. Who can stop them now? Wales’ next opponents, meanwhile, will be the runners-up in Group B (Russia, Denmark or Finland).
90+2 min: Ward dives to his right to make another save, tipping away Castrovilli’s shot from over 20 yards.
90 min: There will be at least three more minutes. Surely Wales have done enough to seal second spot...
Italy substitution: Sirigu on, Donnarumma off. Yes, they’re changing their keeper for the final minute. Let’s see if Wales can give Sirigu a touch.
89 min: Belotti lets fly from the edge of the box, Ward saves comfortably.
Italy substitution: Castrovilli on, Pessina off
Wales substitutions: Brooks, B Davies and Levitt on, Bale, Williams and Allen off
83 min: Chiesa, one of the players who may have forced his way into their first-choice line up on the basis of today’s display, tries to wriggle his way into the area but can’t get past his man, so he rolls it back to Verrati instead. The schemer clips the ball towards Belotti at the back post. Rodon does brilliantly to head away.
81 min: Seven Italians in the Welsh box as the home side try to bury the visitors. But Wales stand firm, tracking runners and making blocks. Eventually Italy have to settle for a corner.
79 min: Pessina is booked for chopping down Wilson in midfield. Then Gunter cops a booking, too, for a follow-up foul.
78 min: Ramsey wins another freekick for Wales wide on the right. But this time the delivery is poor and it’s easily cleared.
75 min: What a chance for Wales! A long freekick is headed back across goal by Rodon to Bale, who is free eight yards out! But he swishes his volley high over the bar! That was worse than his penalty miss against Turkey, to be fair.
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Italy substitutions: Cristante and Raspadori on, Jorginho and Bernardeschi off
Wales substitution: Wilson on, James off.
74 min: Verrati’s lovely corner is flicked on by Acerbi at the near post ... but Belotti fails to apply the finish. He was inches away from connecting with it from close range.
72 min: Bright work down the right by Roberts, who holds off two before winning a throw-in. He hurls a long one into the area. Moore flicks it on at the edge of the six-yard box. But that’s as good as it gets, and Italy wallop it clear.
70 min: The Swiss aren’t rolling over: Shaqiri has put them 3-1 up over Turkey...
69 min: Jorginho dances his way into the area and pulls the ball back for Emerson, whose shot from 12 yards is deflected over the bar by Ramsey. When Ward fumbles the ensuing corner, Ramsey is on hand again to welly clear. Wales are in survival mode.
67 min: Bernardeschi whips in a corner from the right. Toloi sends a diving header just wide at the near post.
66 min: Chiesa screams down the right again and latches on to a through-ball despite Williams’ attempt to intercept. From the byline he cuts the ball back to Belotti, whose shot on the run from eight yards is pushed away by Ward!
64 min: Here’s the best news of the day so far for Wales: Turkey have pulled a goal back against Switzerland. “Regarding the best way to organise a 24-team tournament: If we must have 24 teams, eight groups of three is the way to go, only one team from each group goes through,” suggests Alasdair Murray. “No second chances. Now that’s how you make every game matter! Fewer games overall though, so less revenue for Uefa, and I guess that’s what matters...y
62 min: James finds no one with the freekick, leaving Pessina to head it away without fuss.
61 min: James wriggles his way down the right before being bowled over by a defender, earning a freekick in useful crossing position. Could Moore’s entrance proved to be well timed?
60 min: So much for damage limitation: Page has just introduced Moore for Morrell.
59 min: Wales have rejigged now that they are down to 10 men, reverting to a back four. The question for them now is do they go full-gun for an equaliser or do they opt for damage limitation to ensure they are one of the best third-placed finishes (if Switzerland score more).
58 min: Chiesa skins Willians down the right again but his shot is weak. Ward makes an easy save.
RED CARD FOR AMPADU!
Ampadu looks shocked. He arrived a touch late for a tackle in the centre circle and wound up stamping on Bernardeschi’s foot. It was maladroit rather than malicious but a VAR review doesn’t spare Ampadu. Off he goes.
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54 min: A misjudgement at the back by Italy ... and Ramsey suddenly finds the ball bouncing to him at the right-hand side of the box and with a clear run at the keeper! And scampers into the six-yard and figures the angle is too tight for a shot, so he stops and looks for support. But there’s no teammate near him, and Italian players converge on him to crowd him out.
53 min: Bernardeschi curls a low freekick around the wall and against the base of the post! A couple of inches to the right and that would have been a goal, Ward wasn’t getting to it!
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52 min: Roberts gives the ball way in his own half, then Allen brings down Belotti to stop the Italian counter. That’s a yellow for Allen, and a freekick to Italy about 30 yards out and central. Wales build a wall ...
50 min: Wales are perking up a bit. Bale has just made a strong run through midfield and fed James on the left. The winger’s cross was charged down but there was some promise in the move.
48 min: Toloi pushes over James to give Wales a freekick mid-way inside the Italian half, They take it short and work their way backwards. THey wouldn’t do that if Kieffer Moore were on hand to serve as a target. “It might seem mad but I would revert to four at the back and bring another forward on to get a hold of the ball,” hollers Arwel Jones. “We have a lot pace on the bench - Brooks or Wilson perhaps?”
47 min: Rob Smyth has pointed out that four points may not be enough to qualify, since it is possible for the third-placed team in all six groups to finish with at least four points. That means that if Wales were to lose heavily here, they could be out on their ears...
46 min: Italy have made a change during the break. Acerbi has come on for Bonucci.
“VAR seems to have been far less intrusive (touch wood) during the Euros than in the Premier League. What is your take on why that is?” asks Julian Menz. I think it’s because the European officials have taken a common sense approach and generally not got VAR involved unless there has been a blatant injustice, whereas the Premier League has been about the reign of bureaucrats, with officials claiming to be able to discern things that no human can truly spot, nor should try to.
“There is one benefit to the current 24 team format, which is that there is a much smaller chance of teams being eliminated after just two matches. There is no more dispiriting sight in an international tournament than seeing two eliminated sides trudge onto the field to play a feel-bad version of the 3rd place playoff.” - Kári Tulinius, who presumably Ukraine and Austria to go at each other with gusto when they meet on the last day of Group C, whereas I’m calling it as a convenient 0-0 already
“This may sound contradictory, but maybe 32 teams in the Euros is the answer now the 24 ship has sailed. There are 55 teams in the qualifying and, whilst it’s not the tournament for Luxembourg or Andorra, I’m not sure including Norway or Ireland makes it that much weaker. Then your usual groups of four and two go out or, in my dreams, a first round seeded straight knockout. Every game a banger with total jeopardy.” - Hugh Molly, who still thinks Luxembourg are weaker than Ireland, bless him
“Fun game so far! Regarding tournament structure, surely the best solution while maintaining 24 teams is to have the best 4 group winner go straight to the QFs and the 2 other group winners and 4 second places play a knock out round. Uefa would only lose 4 fixtures and every group stage game is vital.” - Owen Woodford
Half-time: Italy 1-0 Wales
Pessina’s goal is fair reward for Italian dominance. Wales have barely threatened. Page needs to find a route for them back into this game if they are to get a point to guarantee second spot in the group or, indeed, the win that would send them top. The worry for them is, though, that Italy have shown no sign of letting up and will likely aim to increase their lead in the second period. As things stand, Wales’ goal difference is +1, while Switzerland is -1. If that changes because of further goals either in this game or in the Switzerland-Turkey match, then Wales could find themselves having to hope to reach the next round as one of the best third-placed teams.
44 min: Bales fails to control a pass, allowing the ball to trickle out of play at the byline as Wales tried to muster an attack.
42 min: Verrati does a little shuffle wide on the let and then curls a lovely pass into the path of Pessina, who has made another late run into the area. He slides to get a touch on it and sends it towards goals, but it takes a nick and goes just wide.
41 min: Italy aren’t sated. They want more goals. Wales can’t get out of their half, and can’t get the ball.
GOAL! Italy 1-0 Wales (Pessina 39)
The home team have the breakthrough that they’ve been threatening! It came from a setpiece that Verratti took after being shunted to the ground by Allen. Verratti got up to take it wide on the right, curling it into Pessina, who hits it on the run about 10 yards out, guiding it into the far corner.
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36 min: Wales stay organised as Italy string together endless passes in front of them. Eventually, Verrati tries to drop a pass from the centre circle over the top of the defender and on to the foot of Belotti. Once again, it’s a tiny bit too long for the striker. But if they get one of those perfect, Wales will be in a world of bother.
34 min: James sends a freekick from way out on the right over to the far side of the box. Rodon does well to connect with it but can’t get enough power on the header to trouble the keeoper.
33 min: Jorginho flights a long ball from the centre circle into the path of Chiesa, who miscontrols it. But the tactic is clear and those long crossfield passes to the wings have caused plenty of problems for Wales so far.
31 min: Emerson hurtles down the left and into the Welsh box, then he goes down under pressure from Rodon. The home crowd demand a penalty; the ref shakes his head, and is right to do so.
30 min: Chiasa definitely has the beating of Williams down the right wing, a fact he has demonstrated again just now before sending over a dangerous cross. No one meets it, but when the ball comes back in from the opposing flank, Cheisa retrieves it beyond the far post and lashes a shot towards goal. It’s deflected just wide!
28 min: Verratti curls a shot several yards wide from the left-hand corner of the Welsh box. Meanwhile, Shaqiri has put Switzerland 2-0 up over Turkey.
27 min: James delivers an in-swinging corner. Gunter runs on to it and meets it just before the near post, about eight yards out. He flicks the ball just over the bar!
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26 min: Bonucci pressurised into conceding a corner. “Jonathan Wilson wrote an interesting article for today’s paper about the problems with the current structure of the Euros so that the best placed third-ranked teams will go through,” writes David Wall. “Like he said, teams in the earlier groups are disadvantaged by not know what they need to do to qualify. You’d think that 4 points would be enough. But suppose Switzerland go on to win, and increase their lead, and that Italy go a couple of goals ahead here, so Wales occupy that 3rd place. Do Wales gamble and try to keep the score down? Or do they gamble to try to get back for a draw? You’d much rather be in groups E or F and know for certain. It seems such poor decision making that UEFA upset a perfect structure with 16 teams, and that FIFA are planning to do the same when they increase the World Cup from 32.” They’ve banjaxed it all right, but we can agree that things have improved since the only time Italy won this tournament: back at Euro1968, they advanced past the USSR in the semi-finals by winning a coin toss.
24 min: Bernardeschi pounces on a loose pass from the back by Gunter, then feeds Chiesa, rushing into the right-hand side of the Welsh box. Mercifully for Wales, Chiesa pulls his shot wide of the far post!
23 min: Bale slips a canny reverse pass into Allen in the Italian box. But the Welsh Pirlo can’t get his cross off before being closed down. Then Wales try to recycle possession, Williams playing a dinky flicked pass to Morrell before the move breaks down.
20 min: It’s been a good few minutes for Wales even though they have hardly had the ball. Italy have been pushing them back, forcing them to defend very deep, but Wales have rebelled against and moved the play further upfield again.
18min: An Italian cross is cleared as far as Toloi, who bangs off a volley from 20 yards. It’s miscued but veers into the path of Pessina, who diverts it towards goal from 10 yards. Ward adjusts quicksmart to catch.
15 min: Emerson joins in the attack from left-back, spanking a fierce low shot at goal from 25 yards. Ward gets down to make his first save of the game.
14 min: Brilliant play by Chiesa down the right, as he bursts past Gunter and and fires over a vicious cross. Rodon reacts sharply to get his head to it before Belotti. The pressure from Italy is rising Wales aren’t looking quite so comfortable any more...
12 min: Bastoni strides forward to pick up a pass and then clip a lovely ball from mid-way inside the Welsh half towards Belotti. The striker stretches to try to reach it eight yards from goal, but it’s fractionally too long for him!
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10 min: Bonucci tries to clip another long ball into the channel - the left this time - but it’s overhit. They’ll keep trying that though, so the Welsh wingbacks will have to be on their guard.
8 min: If you’re following Rob Smyth’s coverage of Switzerland v Turkey, you’ll know that the Swiss have just taken the lead. A big win for them could, if Wales lose here, push the Welsh down into third spot. But so far Wales haven’t look like losing, they’ve been quite comfortable. Just the 82 minutes to go...
7 min: Another long ball forward by Italy in search of Belotti is collected by Ward.
6 min: Seeing no better options, Bonucci tries to lift a pass from his own half towards the Welsh box. Rodon nods it back to Ward without bother.
5 min: It’s been an encouraging start by Wales. Italy have had most of the ball but have not been able to do anything with it because the Welsh are compact and quick to press in unison when the time comes.
3 min: Bale is being booed every time he gets the ball, which is, of course, the biggest compliment the locals could pay him.
2 min: Italy show their attacking intent right fro the start, but over-eagerness gets the better of Bernardeschi, who’s caught offside as he sprints after a pass into the right-hand channel.
1 min: Italy kick off. The Azzurri are in blue, Wales in red, all is good. “Sure, this is a challenging assignment for Wales but any more challenging than Belgium in 2016?” asks Matt Dony. “I think not. And less pressure, due to the relative comfort of having 4 points in this expanded format. It is on. I’m uncharacteristically positive. Plus, as an extra fillip, one of the things I enjoy most about watching Wales these days is the ability to fully support Dan James without any petty club trivialities getting in the way.. He’s such an exciting runner, so determined, and always comes across as a properly nice young lad. (If THAT new puppy video doesn’t melt your heart, you are dead inside.)“
Here come the teams ...
Rob Page speaks
He explains that his three lineup changes were due to the wish to avoid suspensions. Beyond that, he describes the approach to today’s game thus: “We want to win. Up front we have pace that can hurt them. We’ve got an opportunity to win the group. If we can’t win it, let’s draw it and take second place. That’s all our focus is on.”
“So far, Italy haven’t been tested much at the back, but on the rare occasions Turkey and Switzerland attacked, Italy were pulled out of shape,” notes Kári Tulinius. “Ramsey and Bale can ask questions of any defence, and it’ll be fascinating to see what the answers will be. Enjoy the match!”
Italy may have made eight changes but there should be no doubting their desire to win today: that unbeaten record means a lot to them. Here’s Chiellini to ITV just now: “Our secret is the group. Any player can play but nothing changes. We have grown a lot in the last three years and we are very close to an unbelievable record.” As for Wales, he says: “ e know Wales very well. I play with Aaron Ramsey: he has been very unlucky with injuries but when he is fit he is a very intelligent and dangerous player. We are very happy to play against Wales.”
Roberto Mancini shares his thoughts on Wales
“Wales have been one of the top 15 or 20 teams in Europe for many years. They have good quality - not only physically because they have some technical players. Bale is one of the best players in Europe. I played against him many times in the Premier League and I know his quality. It will be a difficult situation against him.”
Teams
Rob Page has made three changes to his lineup from the last game, with the yellow card carriers Ben Davies, Chris Meprhan and Kieffer Mooreleft out so that Neco Williams, Ethan Ampadu and Chris Gunter can come in. They will face a very different Italy side to the one we’ve seen so far in this tournament - at least in terms of personnel. Roberto Mancini has made eight alterations, with Donnarumma, Jorginho and Bonucci asked to go again.
Italy: Donnarumma; Toloi Bonucci, Bastoni, Emerson; Verratti, JOrginho, Pessina; Bernardeschi, Belotti, Chiesa
Subs: Sirigu, Meret, Di Lorenzo, Spinazzola, Locatelli, Castrovilli, Insigne, Acerbi, Cristante, Immobile, Barella, Raspadori
Wales: Ward; Gunter, Rodon, Ampadu; Roberts, MOrrell, Allen, Ramsey, N Williams; Bale, James
Subs: Hennessey, A Davies, B Davies, Lockyer, Wilson, T Roberts, Moore, Norrington-Davies, J Williams, Brooks, Mepham, Levitt
Referee: O Hategan (Romania)
Preamble
Hello. Every team has now played two matches at Euro 2020 and only one has looked close to flawless so far - Italy. That’s who Wales are playing today. In Rome. So this is about the toughest assignment that any country could be assigned right now. Roberto Mancini’s team have been brilliant - incredibly dynamic, slick and sharp - and they are aiming not only to secure top spot in Group A but also to equal the their country’s all-time record of 30 matches unbeaten, a feat achieved by Victor Pozzo’s Azzurri between 1928 and 1934. Mancini might make a few personnel changes - he has to replace the injured Giorgio Chiellini, for starters - but we can be sure Italy are intent on putting Wales through a mincer.
But Wales are no lambs to the slaughter. If Rob Page’s men like they did when beating Turkey earlier this week, then they could conceivably pull off a victory that would rank as one of the greatest in their history, almost as momentous as the toppling of Belgium five years ago. The stakes this time are not quite as high, since Wales are practically assured a place in the Last 16 even if they lose - if they finish top of their Group A, they will face the runners-up from group C (currently Ukraine); and if they finish second, they will face the runners-up from Group B (currently Russia) -, but this is an opportunity for Gareth Bale and friends to claim glory, to deliver another performance and result that will be enshrined in Welsh folklore forever. Can they seize the day? Well that’s what we’re here to find out. Come on!
