France-Italy 1-1: Mancini and Zidane confirm that it is never a match like the others

Mancini and Zidane, with different words, had said it again and again: France-Italy is never a match like the others. Zinedine Zidane's great return to the Stade de France at the helm of Les Bleus against the newly formed Italy of Mancini 2.0 did not disappoint expectations.

Above all, the blue team - which reached a 1-1 draw with Bastoni after Olise's great free-kick to make it 1-0 - stood up to Les Bleus and once again ruined the party for Zizou, who was praised more than any of his players by the 77,000 at the Stade de France.

France is full of champions and has just returned from three World Cups without Italy and with a victory, a second and a fourth place, the Azzurri have always seen it on TV. Italy disappointed in their debut against Belgium, sensationally redeemed themselves against Turkey four days later and confirmed their growth tonight. As a team, as individuals and above all as an idea of ​​the game and the ability to follow and read the score of its conductor. Solid in defence, where Donnarumma saved the result at least 3 times, excellent in the centre-backs, with Bastoni sui scudi confirming himself as a goalscorer, flexible and never static with the midfielders, in particular Frattesi. The attack found Kean again, but he made a mistake in front of goal. The proof that the Azzurri believe in their coach's score is that in 90 minutes they never wasted a ball, every exit from the defense was a potential counterattack. And the clearest occasions were blue.

In the first half, the script written by Mancini was interpreted best by the players on the pitch: impeccable defence, midfield that covered and restarted without ever wasting a ball, attackers willing to make sacrifices. The two, only, great opportunities of the first 45' are for Italy: in the 9th minute, Sebastiano Esposito starts on the right, launches Kayode who puts a perfect ball into the area at the far post for Kean who arrives and surprises Kalulu. The Como striker, however, ruins everything and with the goal wide open, fires the ball at Maignan. Two scrums 4' from the end of the first half free Frattesi in the center of the area who, with his right foot, sends it just wide. Then, it's Kean who celebrates for a moment, but his goal is disallowed for obvious offside. These were the flashes of a first half in which France permanently had the initiative but never managed to break through the wall of Bastoni and Scalvini in the centre, well covered by the midfield and in particular by Frattesi.

We go to half-time with the Azzurri alone to complain. But upon returning to the field, Mancini's impeccable script no longer holds the stage. The Bleus immediately change pace, application and determination are no longer enough: after 4' Donnarumma makes a save who doesn't hold back a shot from Doué, then on Dembelé's rebound from close range he performs a true miracle. France uncontainable, Olise goes away and shoots, captain Gigio relaxes and denies him the goal. Nothing can happen, however, when Olise takes a free kick for a foul by Fagioli (warned) on Cherki. The Bayern striker's left foot is perfect, crossing very far from Donnarumma and Bleus taking the lead. Italy is floundering, France seems to be in control of the situation, Mancini replaces Pio Esposito and Fagioli with Vergara and Barella, but the match always seems to be uphill. Until the 68th minute, when, after having reappeared in the opponent's half of the pitch, pressing the Bleus defenders, Italy equalised: a serious sin of presumption by France in disengagement, Da Cunha fell asleep and Bastoni arrived like a fireball on the three-quarters, stole the ball from him, advanced and beat Maignan.

A minute later Donnarumma again sensational on Rabiot. The match ends with the Azzurri who could have scored again, especially when Upamecano leaves his team with 10 men for a foul on Kean. But 1-1 is the fairest result, also because another miracle from Donnarumma saved the result in injury time. The Azzurri confirm themselves on the right path.