Italy dominated in the first half against Belgium, but a red card to Lorenzo Pellegrini after 40 minutes changed the game, leading to a 2-2 draw. Here are the player ratings from the latest Azzurri game in the Nations League.
Italy 2-2 Belgium Player Ratings
Donnarumma 6 – Italy conceded two goals from set pieces, which increased regrets for the Azzurri. Nothing Gigio could do to avoid them.
Di Lorenzo 6 – In no man’s land when Belgium scored the equaliser, but he was pretty solid in open play.
Bastoni 6 – A dominating performance until his central pass exposed Pellegrini. Risky tackle on Openda in the second half. Lucky to get away with a corner kick after a silent VAR check.
Calafiori 5.5 – Not enough duels won. He was in the wrong position when his Arsenal teammate Trossard bagged the equaliser in the second half.
Cambiaso 7 – Scored his first international goal in the opening minute. He could have scored his second only a few minutes later, but Casteels denied him, and Retegui netted on the rebound.
Frattesi 6.5 – Not too effective in the final third, but he helped the team so much when the Azzurri were reduced to ten men. He even played as a right winger. No surprise he was exhausted when he was sent off (90′ Bellanova N/A).
Ricci 6 – Pellegrini’s red card naturally changed his priorities. 92% passing accuracy is great, but he didn’t win any duel. (70′ Fagioli 6)
Tonali 5.5 – Not too involved in the play this time. He finished the game with 87% passing accuracy and two duels won. (80′ Pisilli N/A)
Dimarco 7.5 – Marvellous assist for Cambiaso’s opener. He was involved in the second one too, with a stunning cross-field pass. Inevitably, his performance was very different after Pellegrini’s red card. (70′ Udogie 6)
Pellegrini 4 – Deserved a red card for an unnecessary tackle. What a shame because his performance hadn’t been that bad. Ultimately, he ruined the Azzurri game.
Retegui 7—Scored his fifth goal in 15 appearances. He played for the team and tried to hold the ball up front, but he wasn’t always successful (80′ Raspadori N/A).
Coach: Spalletti 6 – The game changed after Pellegrini’s red card. Perhaps he could have done some substitutions a little earlier, but the Italy glass is half full. Italy played great football in the opening 40 minutes.
Belgium: Casteels 6; Debast 5-5, Faes 6.5, Theate 6.5 (68′ Vrankx 6), De Cuyper 7.5; Tielemans 6, Mangala 5.5 (68′ Castagne 6); De Ketelaere 6 (68′ Lukebakio 5.5), Trossard 7.5, Doku 7 (87′ Fofana N/A); Openda 7 (87′ Ngonge N/A). Coach: Tedesco 6.5
A rating of 4 is way too generous to Pellegrini. He absolutely ruined the game and cost us 2 crucial points. With so much competition in the midfield, a harsher punishment from Spalletti has to be considered.
Pellegrini is not a number 10, sorry. He has bad body language on the field seems to not have a good attitude , disappears at times and makes stupid mistakes. For me o would rather he not be on the team. Didn’t even look disappointed to go off. To be fair, I think the red card was harsh.
I think Pellegrini is only a good club player, we have better options in midfield. He should not start in Italy’s bigger games. Italy plays good football now since the formation change. Would like to see them win this tournament.
Di Lorenzo needs to be replaced sooner rather than later too. Not the required quality now and not going to get better.