Extra-time goals from substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina saw Italy beat battling Austria 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of euro 2020 at Wembley on Saturday.
Both sides were locked at 0-0 after 90 minutes in London, with Italy enjoying the better of the first half but Austria rattling Roberto Mancini’s side in the second period.
Chiesa opened scoring early in extra-time and another goal from Pessina set up a quarter-final against the winners of Sunday’s tie between Belgium and holders Portugal.
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But there was still time for late drama when Austria’s Sasa Kalajdzic stooped to head the ball in at the near post from a corner with a little over five minutes to go but their frantic final efforts were in vain.
Austria had a chance to snatch the lead on the counter when Marko Arnautovic ran through on goal after muscling past Leonardo Bonucci, only to fire wildly over from the edge of the area.
Unfazed by that scare, Italy were immediately back on the attack.
Ciro Immobile was inches away from putting them ahead when the Lazio forward whipped an audacious 20-yard strike against the woodwork with Bachmann rooted to the spot.
Having emerged as Group A winners with a 100 per cent record after playing all three of their games in Rome, Italy were on the road for the first time in the tournament.
5 Comments
l’italia scappa per il pelo dei denti!
italy escapes through the skin of their teeth!
What a match! Pulsating encounter from start to fingernail biting finish.
Italy came out all guns blazing, but Austria countered brilliantly, employing the energetic high-press when Italy have the ball in their own half, and parking the bus when Italy approach their vital area. Nigeria will do well to implement this system as well.
Who knows how the game would have been impacted if Arnautovic’s goal had not been ruled offside? Italy will be moving on to the next round, but Austria deserve kudos for a warrior performance. I’m sure there fans will give them a heroes welcome when they get back home.
@Pompei… Brilliantly submitted! Now that is what we are saying… Most teams in the world, especially seemingly understrength teams are employing the highpress now and balancing it with very strong and attentive defence structure when opposing team explode forward in rage and onslaught! When are we going to upgrade our usual laid-back approach often allowing our opponents to play, dictate their own tempo and find cracks in our structure while we wait for some luck and fortune to try our own schemes in a gentlemanly way hoping we get the desired results we probe for? This is what most Rohr critics keep saying… We know in the world of global football, we will definitely come against teams who will be better than us technically and tactically… When do we start being ingenious with a stoically malleable system that allows us to punch our opponents in ways above our strength? That was what Austria did yesterday and for a large chunk of the game… the Austria so carried out a successful scheme of play that it was clear Italians were beginning to doubt themselves and commit sloppy forced-plays… Nigerians have never been known to perfect highpress and diligent defence as we often see some modest nationals teams do… in this Euro 2020, Hungary comes to mind, and now it was evident with a modest Austrian team also… If we are not lying to ourselves, seeing what other nationals teams… hitherto thought of as minnows are unraveling… honestly Super Eagles and Nigeria have a lot of work to do tactically and speaking from game management, counter-tactics and discipline aspect of the game… We will continue to hope our tactical and coaching department are also taking lessons from ongoing Copa America and Euro 2020 for some real improvisations… One love!!!
@JimmyBall;
I also do like the high press tactic especially when you come against teams that are obviously more tactically and skillfully adapt than you but the caveat there it drains the players so much and firstly you would need a very physically fit team to implement this tactic and as such it may be almost impossible to do this all tournament long without tiring out or losing concentration at some point (that was the case with Austria last night) secondly, the players must also buy into it be ready to play and leave e’tin on the pitch not doing bignanism like it happened with Moses against Argentina. Thirdly, that system of high press also requires some confident ball holders and passers in the team who will not just turn over the ball again after wrestling it from the opposition. Omo, high press requires so much discipline and tactical awareness nevertheless, i really wish the SE can adopt it regularly
Thanks, Jimbo.
Although we stand on opposite sides in the great ideological divide of Gernot Rohr’s tenure, I do respect your opinions, and I feel that the respect I give you is well deserved. Peace, brother.
…@Pompei da great! We have been in this business of football commentary for long from kickoffnigeria.com which later wounded up… We will always learn from each other… No one knows it all! I return the peace back to you bro… your are maturedly regarded baba!!!