Italy vs. France: Daniele Adani Can’t Hold Back: “He’s Clearing Them All Out”

Daniele Adani is ecstatic after the Azzurri’s victory over France in the Nations League. According to the former player, the best player on the field was Pio Esposito, who scored a brace against the French.

“MVP! MVP! No question about it: definitely the best player on the field. In a game where many players earned high marks, the Inter striker was the best of them all—and he did it against France, in a stadium like San Siro. He’s always tough to mark, and that goes for every defender: he runs rings around them all,” Adani declared.

The RAI commentator also praised several other players, such as Vergara, Barella, and Frattesi, and was himself lauded after the game for his words: “You gave a lesson that all young midfielders need to take to heart, set aside, reflect on, and really let sink in.”

The evening at San Siro got off to a rough start: Zidane’s France took the lead in the 10th minute through Olise, capitalizing on a mistake by Donnarumma in the build-up. The Azzurri fought back, however, and in the 26th minute, Pio Esposito tied the game by beating Upamecano to a cross from Cambiaghi. In the second half, after Sebastiano Esposito missed a penalty in the 57th minute (foul by Gusto on Cambiaghi), Frattesi scored the go-ahead goal in the 62nd minute with a first-time shot off a cross from Dimarco, who had just entered the game. In the 74th minute, Pio Esposito sealed the victory from the penalty spot after Upamecano fouled Vergara, bringing his total to nine goals in 14 appearances for the Azzurri.

The victory at San Siro propelled the Azzurri to the top of Group 1 in League A, tied with the Galletti at 10 points but ahead on head-to-head record. Belgium is second with nine points, while Turkey remains at zero. To qualify for the quarterfinals, Italy simply needs to avoid defeat in Brussels next Sunday against Belgium: a draw would take the Azzurri to 11 points, while a win would guarantee them first place in the group, regardless of France’s result. If they finish in first place, Italy would be placed in the top seed group for the draw for the next round, with the advantage of hosting the second leg.