Greece - Italy: duel of disappointments before the League of Nations
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
The Greek selection faces Italy in a friendly match as the two nations, absent from the World Cup, seek to revive their momentum with a view to the Nations League. The Greeks will rely on their experience, while the Squadra Azzurra presents itself rejuvenated and in reconstruction.
Lacking benchmarks after a failed qualification for the World Cup, Greece and Italy meet this Sunday in Crete to conclude their international season on a positive note. If the Nations League is already on the horizon, this match serves above all to measure the progress of the two selections.
Greece: experience to bounce back There was great disappointment on the Greek side after finishing in third place in their qualifying group behind Scotland and missing the play-offs. A new absence which adds to more than a decade of failures on the world stage. After a promising Nations League campaign, punctuated by a landmark victory at Wembley against England, expectations were high. But a series of average results has weakened the selection: only one victory in the last eight matches, including a draw against Sweden thanks to a goal from Giorgos Masouras in the 95th minute. Ivan Jovanović will have to cope without Tasos Bakasetas, who is still injured. The armband goes to Vangelis Pavlidis. Kostas Tsimikas and Christos Tzolis should keep their place in the eleven, while Tasos Douvikas, author of an excellent season in Como (14 goals), could start up front. The objective: to finally find stability and efficiency before a tough group in the Nations League with Germany, the Netherlands and Serbia.
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Italy: a new cycle begins Disillusionment is also strong among the Squadra Azzurra, who have not played in a World Cup since 2014. After dismissing Northern Ireland then falling cruelly against Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties in the play-offs, Italy must rebuild everything. Gennaro Gattuso gone, Silvio Baldini takes over in the interim with a significantly rejuvenated group. Against Luxembourg, no less than 15 players celebrated their first selection! Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma provides stability, with 82 caps despite being only 27 years old. At his side, young people like Pio Esposito (friendly scorer), Niccolò Pisilli and many newcomers. Lorenzo Venturino had to withdraw, Marco Palestra remains uncertain, and end-of-season fatigue deprives Italy of several executives. The young Italian guard is taking advantage of this window to gain experience before a tough Nations League against France, Belgium and Turkey.
A match to revive the dynamic If the two teams are coming out of a disappointing spring, their context differs: Greece retains an experienced backbone, while Italy is getting a makeover. This advantage of continuity could allow the Greeks to win at home, against a Squadra in the midst of testing. Verdict: victory for Greece, which sees this as a great opportunity to move forward before a scorching autumn.