UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE 2018: only a Draw for Il Mancio after a fine display!

B.Silva and Verratti fighting for a ball(taken from Depor.com)

What a pity for Italy! 0-0 .This time the Azzurri did play very well and practically dominated Portugal at least until the last 15 minutes where obviously the opponents did try to do something but stopped by their lack or precision and also by a fantastic save by Gigio Donnarumma (sometimes he really does his work as much as his worth). The Roberto Mancini team literally attack from the very  first minute and during the whole first half but missed some very good chances and one over all with Ciro Immobile that couldn't manage to tap-in a ball after Rui Patricio saved a powerful strike by Lorenzo Insigne. We must admit that this time Italy did play very well and you can tell the only thing missing is a bomber. So many chances created and zero goals it's not a very good sign but at least they showed a great improvement in the game. Even Verratti did play much better than usual despite making some calculations mistakes still he was very involved in the game and it was a long time you couldn't see him this way. Portugal will go to the Final Phase but at least Italy will not get down of League and maintain its position. Which is a rather naive consolation but well for now this is not bad at all. You can wait more experiments from Mancini in the next International Friendly against USA. 

Well done to Portugal that probably deserved to reach the finals this year but the Azzuri are gathering experience and will be ready to come back hopefully soon!
Even Bonucci had a great chance in the first half but his header went just a bit wide. Congrats to Chiellini for his 100th cap wearing the Italy shirt. Great achievement celebrated at the beginning of the match. Mancini is on the right way. Unforunately for Portugal Bruma and Andre Silva were not very inspired last night even if they tried to make something happen. Italy was solid for most of the 90 minutes. Vivo Azzurro!

Vio