Italy-Moldova 2-0
Networks: 40 ‘PT Raspadori, 5’ st Cambiaso.
Italy (3-5-1-1): Donnarumma 6; By Lorenzo 5.5, Bastoni 5.5, Ranieri 5.5 (38 ‘st Coppola Sv); Cambiaso 6, Frattesi 6, Ricci 5 (1 ‘st Barella 5.5), Tonali 5, Dimarco 5.5 (1’ st Orsolini 6); Raspadori 6.5 (32 ‘st Maldini 5); Rettegi 5.5 (26 ‘st Lucca 5). On the bench: Meret, Carnesecchi, Coppola, Rovella, Gatti, Udogie, Casadei, Rugani. Coach: Spalletti 5.5.
Moldova (3-4-3): Avram 5.5; Baboglo 6, Mudrac 6, Dumbravanu 6.5; Platica 6.5, Ionita 6 (27 ‘st Dros 6), Bodistanu 6 (13’ st Motpan 6), Reabciuk 6.5; Caimacov 6 (21 ‘st Stina 6), Nicolaescu 6.5 (27’ st Damascan 6), Postalachi 6 (21 ‘st periun 6). On the bench: Straistari, Cojuhar, Bors, Posmac, Motoc, Stefan, Bitca. Coach: Clesh 6.5.
REFEREE: Urs Schnyder (Switzerland) 6.5.
Notes: Sereno sky, earth in excellent condition. 18,771 spectators present for a collection of 420,934 euros. Ammonites: Nicolaescu, Frattesi. Corners: 7-6. Recovery: 1 ‘pt, 6’ st.
A sad and more difficult victory than an Italy expected Alternating current that without signs of reaction greets Luciano Spalletti between applause and some whistles, and is waiting to know the new coach. To carry on the Azzurri in Reggio Emilia, against a lively Moldova in a valid match for qualifying at the 2026 World Cup, he thinks about it, five minutes after the end of a first half certainly not exciting, Giacomo Raspadori, while at the start of the second half the doubling of Cambiaso arrives to put under the team of Clessenco who only for unfortunate and for the skill of Donnarumma does not go. It ends with a skimpy 2-0 instead of the hoped for Goleada in order to still believe in comeback on a victorious Norway also in Estonia and now in group I always at +9 points ahead of Italy and with a huge goal difference (+11). In its last game on the national team bench, in a stage stage of the tricolor of Reggio Emilia, where instead of the enthusiasm of the fans there is a surreal atmosphere, Spalletti in defense Ranieri, in midfield inside Frattesi and Ricci with a comparison on the right and Dimarco on the left. In front of the same couple seen in Norway Raspadori-Retegui. For Moldova Clessenco presents a 4-3-3 with the Heerenveen striker Nicolaescu to lead the offensive line, with Placeolachi and Caimacov to complete the trident. The Ionita veteran midfielder, who played in seven different Italian teams is the captain. Bad start of the blues who appear a little deconcentrated and also suffer a goal that fortunately of Italy is canceled From the VAR for offside of Nicolaescu author of the header that had beaten Donnarumma. Once the fear has passed for the possible disadvantage tonals and companions wake up pouring into the Moldovan air. Ranieri touches the advantage by taking the crossbar on a header. The blues push but the goal does not arrive and Moldova is still alive from the parts of Donnarumma always with Nicolaescu ending on the ground in the penalty area causing the protests of the Moldovan bench. Italy does not get upset and grows slowly in intensity until you reach the 1-0 goal five minutes from the end of the first half.
After worsening two good opportunities with fate, it is Raspadori to sign the goal of the advantage in his former stadium at the time of Sassuolo: the Napoli striker rushes on a ball that comes out of the penalty area and with a shaved Avram beats. After the lead, Spalletti’s team suffers the awakening of the Moldovans who until the end of the first fraction go to Forcing, twice touching the draw with Reabciuk and Ionita twice. In the second half Spalletti operates two changes with Barella and Orsolini on the pitch in the place of Ricci and Marco respectively. The Azzurri start again and the 2-0 arrives almost immediately, a few seconds from an excellent occasion of the Moldova always alive and close to 1-1. To sign the doubling is the Juventusian Andrea Cambiaso who impacts the right ball to the great after the “hole” of Frattesi on the low cross of Orsolini and giving no escape to the opposing goalkeeper. With the double advantage acquired, the Azzurri seem to have unlocked by firmly taking control of the game: double conclusion of Frattesi who in both times is rejected, while in a tonal corner diagram serves Orsolini whose conclusion of the first intention ends up high. Italy is looking for the 3-0, while the bad news of the advantage of Norway in Estonia with Haaland arrives. Spalletti changes again by sending Lucca to the field first in place of stagity and then Maldini for Raspadori thus responding to the many replacements of Moldova but the third goal does not arrive, and not even the opportunities, to tell the truth, and therefore the goleada that served proved to be a chimera. In a stadium “city of the tricolor” almost always silent between disappointment and bewilderment, the era of Spalletti ends on the blue bench, which for now remains empty pending the new technical commissioner.
Classification: Norway 12; Israel 6; Italy, Estonia 3; Moldova 0.