Bad Thursday, unrecognizable on Sunday and first in the group on Monday morning. This is how Didier Deschamps’ Azzurri are, who change colors and moods like cyclothymic chameleons, forgetting their football against Israel (0-0) to overtake Italy at the finish line of group 2 of the League of Nations, inflicting the same defeat at San Siro with the flavor of humiliation suffered at the beginning of September at the Parc dei Principi (3-1).
It seems that for them revenge is a dish to be served cold, on the evening in which Didier Deschamps, once again silent during almost four months of truce, benefited from an unlikely Digne-Rabiot ticket to bring his team back into the spotlight. They become quarter-finals again, will host the return match in March and will be feared again.
Lucas Digne in all the good moves
With the Blues, the unpredictable nature of football comes to life in augmented reality. Not managing to deceive Israel, to find fault with a defense lined up with eleven behind the ball, they managed to end the first period with the lead, a 2-1 result of two shots on goal, consolidated after the break by the same men. , the infernal duo Lucas Digne – Adrien Rabiot.
After two consecutive free kicks – a corner and a sublime direct free kick from Lucas Digne which found the crossbar and then Guglielmo Vicario’s defense – these goals reflected neither territorial nor technical dominance, but Didier Deschamps’ men did a thousand times more against Italy than against Israel three days earlier in the bunker of the Stade de France.
If the attack once again suffered from a lack of automatisms and/or combinations, if creativity was still lacking in the last thirty metres, mentally and athletically they were there. On the first aspect, we saw it from the first shots, the desire to react, not to give ground to the national team. Physically, they also taught the hosts a lesson with a great impact in the center put by Manu Koné who after some selections already shows more than Eduardo Camavinga or Warren Zaire-Emery, two competitors at the center of the game in a different register.
A renewed defensive solidity
Without overturning the rankings or rejecting the mountains, the Azzurri are satisfied with this undeniable and palpable desire, with a rediscovered defensive solidarity despite some oversights including Andrea Cambiaso’s goal (1-2, 35th) and with this lightness in offensive percussion. Offloading the ball, they played on depth and quick transitions, an area in which they remain unbeatable thanks to the power and speed of their attackers.
Without shining in his use, Marcus Thuram often appeared like a bulldozer capable of exploding the Italian defense while Randal Kolo Muani, a little more inspired than the Inter striker, also created havoc at the back. Although once again they scored everything, from set pieces, with Lucas Digne involved in the three goals as if he had suddenly transformed into Antoine Griezmann or Kylian Mbappé, the last starters in the selection to take care of everything.
The Blues perhaps didn’t impress once again in the match but they end the year remembering that they maintain attitudes and players of the highest level, punctual in important matches and capable of coming back (especially mentally), that they are united behind the coach and that we will have to count on some more of them in 2025. Nice, they’ve reconciled us for the future.
What are the key factors contributing to the Azzurri’s fluctuating performances in recent matches?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Editor: Good day, and welcome to another insightful edition of Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with renowned football analyst and expert, Dr. Alex Fontan. Dr. Fontan, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Fontan: Thank you for having me! It’s great to discuss the fascinating dynamics of the current football landscape.
Editor: Let’s dive right into it. The recent matches for Didier Deschamps’ Azzurri have been quite the rollercoaster, haven’t they? From a lackluster performance against Israel to a resounding victory over Italy. What do you think accounts for these wildly fluctuating performances?
Dr. Fontan: It’s indeed striking, and it really captures the unpredictable nature of football. One week, the team seemed unrecognizable, struggling to breach Israel’s solid defense, and just days later, they manage to outplay Italy. This cyclic roller coaster can often be attributed to factors like player morale, tactical adjustments from the coach, and a fresh approach for each match. In this case, Deschamps made some key decisions regarding player selections that paid off, particularly with the Digne-Rabiot duo stepping up.
Editor: Speaking of Lucas Digne, it seems he had a monumental impact on the game against Italy. How crucial was his performance, especially in the context of that match?
Dr. Fontan: Digne’s influence was immense. His striking ability from set-pieces and his natural link-up play with Rabiot created significant threats for the Italian defense. The combination of their talents caught Italy off guard, leading to crucial goals despite overall being somewhat outplayed in terms of possession. His direct free-kick that hit the bar is an example of the unpredictability and creativity that was missing in their earlier match against Israel.
Editor: It sounds like the team showed great resilience and a renewed focus in its attacking approach against Italy. What does that say about their mentality?
Dr. Fontan: Absolutely! The Azzurri demonstrated an essential competitive spirit. When they took the pitch against Italy, they exhibited a newfound urgency and desire to reclaim their status, especially after the humiliation suffered at Parc des Princes. This mental shift is crucial for elite teams—staying mentally strong can often outweigh technical shortcomings. The physical dominance they displayed, especially from players like Manu Koné, further highlights that they are capable of rising to the occasion when it matters.
Editor: It appears the team has also worked on its defensive solidity. How does that factor into their overall strategy moving forward?
Dr. Fontan: Defensively, the Azzurri showed significant improvement against Italy. With a solid defensive structure now in place, they seem to have found a way to balance both offensive creativity and defensive reliability. This dual focus is pivotal as they progress into the quarter-finals. Should they maintain this form, they could emerge as serious contenders in upcoming matches. Deschamps’ ability to instill confidence and tactical discipline will be vital.
Editor: With the return match coming in March, what are the key areas the Azzurri need to focus on to ensure sustained success?
Dr. Fontan: To continue building on this momentum, they must hone their attacking fluidity—especially in the final third. Creating more automatic movements and combinations is essential. Additionally, maintaining that defensive cohesion will be crucial, as well as fostering competition among the squad. This will only make them stronger as they head into more challenging fixtures.
Editor: Dr. Fontan, thank you for your valuable insights into the current state of the Azzurri and what lies ahead. It’s always enlightening to hear your perspective on the intricacies of the sport.
Dr. Fontan: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure, and I look forward to seeing how the Azzurri evolve in the coming months.
Editor: And that wraps up our conversation today. Stay tuned to Time.news for more updates and expert analysis on the world of football!