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Group B: Italy 1-0 France

Game Summary​

  • Highly frantic, intense and physical game, particularly during the 1st Half, with lots of duels, turnovers and transitional moments

  • Italy's attacking approach was direct, immediately attacking space with carries and regularly playing into their forward line with quick support from below (tactic in both settled possession and attacking transitions)

  • France's best attacking moments largely came from transitions

  • Italy's winning goal came following a big error from the France goalkeeper when attempting to catch a high dropping ball, under no pressure, inside his six-yard box

  • Italy became more controlled in possession after taking the lead

  • Standout Performances:

    • France #17 Aymen Amaaouch

    • France #2 Mathis Chambon

    • France #10 Yanis Addich (sub)

    • Italy #15​ ​Gianluca Okon

Starting Line-Ups​

  • Italy: 4-3-1-2 in possession & 4-3-1-2 out of possession (switched to 4-4-2 after taking lead)

  • France: 4-2-3-1 in possession & 4-4-2 (high / mid) & 4-4-1-1 (low) out of possession​

EU17_ Italy vs France_scene1_202608051231.png

Italy Observations

 

In Possession

  • Formed a 4-3-1-2 structure - with #10 or #19 able to drift wide right

  • An early recurring 1st phase build-up pattern involved #8 dropping into the right-back slot, allowing #2 to advance higher or #10 to move wide

  • The objective of this RW rotation and overload appeared to be drawing France's LW and LB towards the ball / players before playing over into the right channel for #19 to attack 1v1 against an isolated France LCB

  • ​France adjusted to this pattern around 30 mins by the LW and LB staying in position, instead of closing down the ball and extra player, denying space for the direct ball over the top + extra backline coverage​

  • Predominant progression (and therefore, chance creation) tactic was generally direct play, progressing via forward carries into space or longer passes into the forward line or behind the France defensive line

  • Aimed to capitalise on attacking transitions using a similar approach - quick carries forward into space or direct balls into the forward line, as two players occupying there was invariably a forward passing option available upon regain

​​​

Out of Possession

  • Formed a 4-3-1-2 ​​narrow defensive block, protecting central corridors

  • Two CFs role was to engage the France CBs while cover shadowing access to France CMs with AM behind switching marking responsibilities of the France CMs​

  • Wide CMs (#8 & #17) jumped out to engage France CBs with rest of midfield three and AM shifting across as cover

  • CBs jumped out to players between the lines if needed e.g. #15 (who was constantly changing his mark OOP) was occupied elsewhere

  • Early success applying high pressure from GKs and 1st phase build-up

  • Switched to a 4-4-2 after taking the lead

​

Players

  • #12 (GK) - Christian Lupo

    • Left-footed

    • Attempted a risky Cruyff turn early in the match and was nearly punished

    • Two second-half errors noted:

      • Mishandled a ball that went out for a corner

      • Dwelled on the ball and conceded an indirect freekick inside box

  • #2 (RB) - Giampaolo Bonifazi

    • Right-footed

    • Regularly advanced from RB as part of Italy's recurring right-sided build-up rotations

    • Frequently carried the ball forward to progress attacks from deeper areas

    • 37:20: Carried the ball into the final 3rd before delivering a cross into the box

    • 51:30: Combined with #10 before making an underlapping run to offer passing option / create space for teammate

    • 52:49: Played a through ball between France's centre-backs into #9

  • #4 (RCB) - Djibril Diallo

    • No significant notes

    • Right-footed

    • A few instances of stepping out of the backline to engage opponents between the lines. Front-footed defender?

  • #5 (LCB) - Ludovico Varali

    • No notes

  • #3 (LB) - Matteo Albini

    • Comfortable receiving possession under pressure during deep build-up

    • Multiple (successful) dribbles out of pressure during deep build-up

    • Frequently carried the ball forward from defence, showing a willingness to drive into space and take-on opponents both deep and in final 3rd

    • 09:50: overlapping run helped win corner

    • 61:30: Drove forward aggressively from deep. Showed composure to delay for support / passing option but enabled the recovering defender time to make a tackle

  • #15 (DM) - Gianluca Okon 

    • Dropped between the centre-backs to find space on the ball, facing-forward to dictate build-up

    • Consistently scanned before receiving, allowing him to adjust his body shape and identify immediate passing options to retain possession

    • Comfortable receiving under pressure, regularly turning or evading opponents to retain possession when no initial passing option available

    • Predominantly linked play through short and sideways passes, with limited opportunities to demonstrate any longer or line-breaking passing range

    • OOP: Constantly required to adjust positioning and marking responsibility due to Italy OOP system. Indicator of tactical awareness? 

  • #8 (RCM) - Edoardo Biondini (C)​

    • Right-footed

    • Energetic (box-to-box profile)

    • Powerful ball carrier / runner through midfield, able to repeat sprints and ride challenges

    • Frequently moved into the RB slot during Italy's recurring right-sided build-up pattern. Role was to drop deep to get on the ball and play forward into the RW channel (mixed success on forward pass quality)

    • 13th min: Strong carry from deep to progress the attack

    • Regularly carried possession into advanced areas, although his final decision or execution was inconsistent

    • A few careless losses of possession throughout

  • #17 (LCM) - Francesco Gasparello

    • No notes

  • #10 (AM) - Thomas Corigliano​

    • Left-footed

    • Frequently carried the ball forward when space available ahead

    • Showed good close control and ball manipulation when receiving under pressure between the lines

    • Although, numerous instances of dribbling into congested areas and losing possession

    • Made several supporting and underlapping runs to support attacks on the RW

    • 7th min: dangerous inswinging cross into the box created a close-range goalscoring opportunity

  • #9 (FOR) - Diego Perillo

    • Typically led the line in possession phases, in between the two France CBs. Offered run in behind.

    • Physically struggled against France #4 in aerial and hold-up situations (back-to-goal)

    • Scored Italy's winning goal after reacting to the France GK error (close-range tap-in)

    • Mixed success securing Italy's direct passes into the forward line

    • 7th min: missed close-range goalscoring opportunity

  • #19 (FOR) - Tommaso Casagrande

    • Frequently used as the target for Italy's direct passes into the forward line

    • Regularly drifted into the channels to receive and stretch France's backline (channel runner)

    • Frequently received with pressure from behind, mixed success in protecting and retaining possession

    • Attempted to cushion aerial balls into teammates using his chest

    • Occasionally dropped deeper to connect play with midfield

    • 06:10: weak shot (power) on goal

  • Substitutions:

    • #6 on for #4: No notes 

    • #20 on for #17: Appeared very left-footed. Made immediate impact on and off the ball with work rate. Showed technical ability (a couple of quality deliveries from crosses and ball carries)

    • #21 on for #9: No notes 

    • #7 on for #19: Right-footed. Small in size. High energy. Operated similarly to #19, drifting wide right

    • #16 on for #10: No notes 

France Observations

 

In Possession

  • Formed a 4-2-3-1, with #20 the most advanced midfielder playing between the lines

  • Progressed play mainly around Italy's narrow out-of-possession shape, with FBs and wingers providing width

  • A large proportion of attacking situations originated from regains

​

Out of Possession

  • 4-4-2 high / mid-block​

  • Dropped into a 4-4-1-1 when defending low, with #20 dropping

  • Pressed aggressively from Italy goal-kicks

  • During settled Italy possession, generally content to form a compact mid-block to create space in the Italy half to attack quickly following regains

  • Adapted to Italy's recurring right-sided build-up pattern as the game progressed

​

Players​

  • #16 (GK) - Axel Decrenisse

    • Decisive error for Italy's goal

  • #2 (RB) - Mathis Chambon

    • High energy and work rate. Up and down RW continuously

    • Consistently supported attacks RW with overlaps and underlaps, reacting to the RW movements / positioning

    • Frequently involved in France's attacking play, with many attacks progressing through the right-hand side

    • Delivered numerous crosses into the penalty area, although with mixed end product

    • 25:40: Manipulated the ball well to create a crossing angle before delivering into the box

  • #4 (RCB) - Yoann Becker

    • No significant notes

    • Won the majority of his aerial and ground duels against Italy #9, although often defended with the physical and positional advantage

  • #14 (LCB) - Mohamed Sylla

    • No significant notes

    • Predominantly right-footed but prepared to use left when required

    • 72nd min: Played out of pressure inside his own defensive third (feint and drag-back), before initiating an attack with a carry forward and midfield line-break

  • #5 (LB) - Maël Gernigon

    • Left-footed

    • No significant notes

  • #17 (RCM) - Aymen Amaaaouch 

    • Right-footed

    • One of France's standout performers

    • Regularly regained possession through interceptions and defensive duels and then retained

    • Aggressive and intense out of possession despite his smaller stature

    • Comfortable receiving under pressure and progressing through carries and combination play

    • Made several underlapping runs to support attacks

  • #8 (LCM) - Belive Munongo (C)

    • Left-footed, although demonstrated confidence using his right foot

    • Box-to-box midfield profile

    • Frequently carried the ball forward from midfield

    • Regularly made forward runs beyond the ball to provide passing options

    • 44:20: Made an underlapping run before producing a tame cross-shot

  • #19 (RW) - Loan Merrifield

    • Left-footed

    • Took right-sided inswinging corners

    • Frequently manipulated the ball to create crossing angles

    • Relied more on close control and technical ability than pace to create attacking situations

    • More likely to create separation for a cross than attempt to beat his opponent outright

  • #20 (AM) - Noah Loufoundou

    • Right-footed

    • Dropped back when France defended in a lower block to form 4-4-1-1

    • Took set-pieces on left side

  • #11 (LW) - Arone Gadou

    • Right-footed

    • Preferred receiving to feet before attacking defenders through close control and ball manipulation

    • Frequently progressed attacks down the left-hand side

    • Relied more on technical ability than outright pace to beat opponents

  • #9 (CF) - Christ Batola

    • No significant notes as limited involvement for large periods of the match

    • During the 1st Half showed glimpses of effective hold-up play, using his strength to protect possession and win territory and throw-ins

    • Missed a close-range goalscoring opportunity

  • Substitutions:

    • #7 on for #9: Played RW. Frequently received the ball. Used stepovers to create separation from opponent to cross, as opposed to bypassing them. Mixed quality on delivery.

    • #10 (Yanis Addich) on for #20: Comfortable receiving and playing (retaining and penetrating) between the lines under pressure. Example in 78th min of receiving on the edge of the box under pressure, protecting the ball and finding #7 free, rather than forcing a likely blocked shot (decision-making)

    • #13 on for #19: No notes

    • #6 on for #8: No notes

    • #18 on for #11: No notes​​

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