Final: Belgium 1-1 Italy

Game Summary

Italy won 4-3 on penalties following a relatively even game
Belgium had the slightly greater possession share (55%) but Italy content without the ball as wanted to create counterattack opportunities
Both sides had 13 attempts on goal, with Belgium edging the quality of chances

Starting Line-Ups

Belgium: 4-2-3-1 in possession & 4-4-2 (high) / 4-4-1-1 (low) out of possession
Italy: switched between 4-3-1-2 / 4-3-3 in possession & 4-3-1-2 (high) / 4-4-2 (low) out of possession

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Belgium Observations

In Possession

Formed a 4-2-3-1
Played out short from GKs
Main progression method was patiently inviting and playing through Italy's high pressure with controlled build-up between GK, back four and double pivot in their own defensive third / half. Displayed lots of coordinated off-ball movement, first-time passes, and wide combinations
Main chance creation came from wide areas (flanks and half-spaces) typically between wingers and FBs, plus, #17 and far-side winger often drifted over to offer additional overload and combination support
In the final 3rd, FBs advanced to provide width, with #10 and #7 able to drift inside to join #17 between the lines. #6 and #8 were typically positioned below the ball to provide recycle support and rest defence coverage, with the two CBs deepest

Out of Possession

4-4-2 high / mid
4-4-1-1 low with #17 dropping to position himself in and around Italy #15

Players

#1 (GK) - Mattis Seghers
- No notes
#19 (RB) - Tinus Moorthamer
- No significant notes
- Provided consistent attacking support on RW
- 69:45: Involved in wide combination leading to progression on RW
#3 (RCB) - Elie Mbavu
- 45-70: A few instances of defensive anticipation and depth cover to deal with balls over the top into the right channel (Belgium LW)
- 68:20: Block inside box
- 79:50: Marked forward too tightly, with the opponent turning to bypass him on his inside so able to run directly towards goal
- As per previous games, he continued to display confidence on the ball, regularly attempting a similar trick of faking a long forward pass on the RW before cutting back inside, to go against the momentum and direction of the opposing forward's pressure. However, there were equal number of successes to losses in performing this action. As used multiple times, became easier to anticipate and a dangerous area to loss possession
#4 (LCB) - Preben Blondeel
- No notes
#2 (LB) - Sami El Morabet
- Provided consistent attacking support on RW
- As right-footed, typically looked / played inside when receiving
- Often used ball manipulation to create separation for passes and crosses
#6 (RCM) - Louie Van Gelder
- No significant notes
- Provided support angles in build-up to retain and circulate possession with the backline
- 46th min: Two instances of retaining possession under pressure using turns and body to shield the ball
#8 (LCM) - Xander Dierckx
- No significant notes
- Provided support angles in build-up to retain and circulate possession with the backline
- Played lots of bounce and link passes
- 43:40: Successful defensive transition recovery and tackle to regain possession
#7 (RW) - Jayden Onia Seke
- No significant notes
- Willing to roam over to opposite flank to overload and look for short combinations. This tactic led to a chance at 15:42
#17 (AM) - Jelle Driessen
- No significant notes
- 17:48 Mistimed half-space through ball which spurned a counterattack opportunity
- 56:40: Played accurate through ball in behind Belgium defensive line
- 64:05: Dropped to provide build-up support. Moving towards the ball to play a first-time pass over for the RW to run in behind
#10 (LW) - Joshua Nga Kana
- 0-20 mins: Multiple examples of receiving in the middle 3rd and driving forward into final 3rd (mixed success on final action, but often gained territory)
- Displayed individual skill to receive between the lines and bypass an opponent with 1st touch
- 38:20 beat opponent on the outside and delivered low cross into the box
#9 (CF) - Ilyas Benktib
- No significant notes
- 15:42: Scuffed shot wide from rebound. A promising goalscoring opportunity and appeared a poor choice of finishing technique
- 38:20: Missed another close-range opportunity
Substitutions:
- #18: On for #17 at 71 mins. Played AM. Scored 1st goal following a piece of individual skill on RW to beat opponent 1v1, before carrying inside the box and shooting. In stoppage time, beat two opponents in quick succession with quick feet
- #20: On for #9 at 83 mins. Played CF
- #15: On for #6 at 83 mins. Played RCM
- #11: On for #7 at 83 mins. Played LW
- #16: On for #10 at 92 mins

Italy Observations

In Possession

Switched between 4-1-3-2 and 4-3-3
When 4-3-3, #21 moved wider left and #10 wider right with #9 remaining central
Predominant progression tactics were 1) direct balls into the forward line, with runs in behind the Belgium backline and 2) specific patterns of play in wide areas
Wide patterns of play included third-man combinations and countermovement's. Intention was to disrupt the Belgium backline and exploit gaps with direct runs and passes in behind
Multiple successes progressing on RW
Due to build-up approach, chance creation mainly came from wide areas (crosses, cutbacks and dribbles into the box)
Another key progression and chance creation tactic was attacking transitions, with Italy looking to counter immediately after every / any regain. System designed for this, with multiple forward options ahead of the ball

Out of Possession

4-3-1-2 high and 4-4-2 low, with #10 dropping into midfield and all ten outfielders behind the ball
In high pressure phases, wide CMs started narrow before jumping out to Belgium FBs, with far-side CF dropping to join #10 in covering the Belgium double pivot, allowing #15 to stay deeper and provide central coverage in front of the CBs
67th-69th min: Perfect example of high block in action and counterattack threat offered by having players advanced and positioned centrally to receive / offer forward passes upon regain
From 65 mins onwards, dropped into 4-5-1 low block with 19 LW & 7 RW

Players

#12 (GK) - Christian Lupo
- No significant notes
- Around 50th min, took an unnecessary risk when sweeping behind defensive line, following a ball over the top. Fortunate not to giveaway a foul
- Be disappointed not to save Belgium goal (84:17)
- Saved penalty in shootout
#2 (RB) - Giampaolo Bonifazi
- No significant notes
- Provided attacking support on RW
- A few ball losses from loose touches
- Often bypassed opponents through physicality (pace and power) and determination, as opposed to skill
#4 (RCB) - Djibril Diallo
- No significant notes
- 0-25 mins: Won a few aerial duels. Showcased good timing and anticipation, but also had momentum advantage as CF receiving back-to-goal
- In possession, typically clipped balls long into the forward line
#5 (LCB) - Ludovico Varali
- No significant notes
- 52:50: Successful sliding block inside the box to deny a clear shot on goal
#13 (LB) - Lorenzo Dattilo
- No significant notes
- Right-footed
- Provided attacking support on LW
- 84:17: Poor (and lazy) 1v1 defending
#15 (DM) - Gianluca Okon
- Rarely lost possession, even when under pressure and in congested central areas
- 0-20 mins: Rest defensive positioning and anticipation led to him winning a few interceptions, 2nd balls and loose balls
- OOP: Due to role in system, required high levels of concentration and communication as constantly shifting and readjusting his positioning to provide cover for teammates while protecting central areas
#8 (RCM) - Edoardo Biondini
- Understands individual and unit role and responsibilities
- Provided attacking support on RW. Covering for RB when advanced. Making overlapping and underlapping runs
- Uses body to win fouls / freekicks. Both when carrying the ball and in duels
#17 (LCM) - Francesco Gasparello
- No significant notes
- Subbed off 58th min
#10 (AM) - Thomas Corigliano
- No significant notes
- 43:35: Turned to evade back pressure and continue counterattack
#9 (FOR) - Diego Perillo
- No significant notes
- Frequently made runs behind the defensive line to offer depth option
#21 (FOR) - Federico Croci
- No significant notes
- Subbed off 58th min
Substitutions:
- #16: On for #17 at 58 mins. Played LCM
- #19: On for #21 at 58 mins. Played FOR
- #7: On for #10 at 67 mins. Played AM
- #20: On for #13 at 87 mins
- #11: On for #8 at 87 mins. Scored equalising penalty