No goals, much suffering: 0-0 Italy, Azzurri at European Championships

The qualification there'è but how much suffering.

Italy at Euro 2024, thanks to a 0-0 draw in Leverkusen snatched from a strong-willed Ukraine. Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri collect in Germany what they needed for arithmetic, a point. After a closed but all in all positive first half, forò, the resumption è all about suffering for the Azzurri. That in the midst of recovery also risked conceding a penalty to opponents at that point almost certainly decisive.

The first half seemed to favor Italy, albeit partially revolutionized by Spalletti after the blowout over North Macedonia. The first ring comes on a play, which from Dimarco’s cross finds Zaniolo’s tower. In the center there'è Chiesa, who shoots to the stars. Ukraine creates some headaches with Tsygankov and Sudakov, but Barella and Di Lorenzo in turn go close to scoring. On a counterattack finished by Chiesa, then, Frattesi goes one-on-one with Trubin but fails to beat him.

A close game, but with Italy in apparent control it changes però face in the second half. The Azzurri still seem to get off on the right foot, although Dimarco, Chiesa and substitute Scamacca are inaccurate. Then Ukraine rises in tone and Spalletti's men drop back and even fear the worst. Mudryk and Dovbyk take control of operations, Jorginho and Donnarumma avoid the worst on Tsygankov. Then, as time expired, Mudryk falls in the area after a clash with Cristante: referee Gil Manzano does not award the penalty nor does he ask the Var for help. It ends like that, Italy snatches a very heavy 0-0, wins the 2024 European Championships and breathes a very deep sigh of relief.