Defending Champion Almost Fell Italy Draws 0-0 with Ukraine Boards the Last Train Directly to the Euro 2024 Finals

Italy, the UEFA Euro 2020 champion, almost failed to advance directly to the Euro 2024 finals.

Italy drew 0-0 against Ukraine in the 10th round of Group C of UEFA Euro 2024 held at Bay Arena in Leverkusen, Germany on the 21st (Korean time).

The 20 teams that took first and second place in groups A to J of the preliminary round will advance directly to the Euro 2024 finals, where 24 teams will compete.

The owner of the remaining four tickets will be decided in the playoffs. https://www.bacarasite.com/

Italy, ranked 2nd with 1 point in this match, has 4 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses and the same points as Ukraine, which is ranked 3rd, but was ahead in the winner's score, securing 2nd place in the group stage and confirmed direct advancement to the Euro 2024 finals.

On the other hand, although Ukraine had the same points as Italy due to a draw, their record of losing 1-2 to Italy in the last 6 rounds was holding them back, and they were in a situation where they had to aim for the Euro 2024 finals through the playoffs.

Italy chose the 4-3-3 tactic. Gianluigi Donnarumma wore the goalkeeper's gloves, and Federico Dimarco, Alessandro Bongiorne, Francesco Acervi, and Giovanni Di Lorenzo formed the back four.

The midfielder is Nicolo Barella. Jorginho and Davide Pratesi worked together, and the front three featured Federico Chiesa, Giacomo Raspadori, and Nicolo Zaniolo.

Ukraine used a 4-2-3-1 tactic. With Anatoly Trubin guarding the goal, Yukim Konoplia, Ilya Zavarny, Oleksandr Svatok, and Vitaliy Mykolenko made up the defense.

The midfield consisted of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Taras Stepanenko in the third line, and Mikhail Mudrik, Georgy Sudakov, and Viktor Chigankov in the second line, supporting frontline striker Artem Dobvik.

Italy showed active movement from the beginning of the first half, penetrating into the space behind the opponent's defense to score.

Ukraine also attempted a counterattack, and in the 5th minute of the first half, Tsigankov recorded the first effective shot of the game with a left-footed mid-range shot from in front of the penalty box, but the ball ended up in Donnarumma's arms.

Italy missed a decisive opportunity in front of the goal when Chiesa missed it.

In the 7th minute of the first half, from a corner kick situation, Zaniolo headed the ball raised by Jorginho into the center of the penalty box.

Chiesa immediately shot the ball that landed in front of the goal, but the ball ended up a little high above the goal.

Donnarumma's save also shined. In the 14th minute of the first half, Sudakov attempted a low, fast, mid-range shot with his right foot from in front of the opponent's penalty box arc, aiming for the corner of the Italian goal, but Donnarumma quickly struck it away with his hand, overcoming the risk of conceding a goal.

Italy also attempted a mid-range shot with Barella.

In the 16th minute of the first half, Varela received a pass from far away in the Ukrainian penalty box, and when he confirmed that there were no defenders marking him, he immediately attempted a mid-range shot with his right foot.

The shot flew inside the goal, but Trubin calmly made a save and missed the goal line.

Italian fans' sighs grew louder due to Pratesi's disappointing finish.

During a counterattack in the 29th minute of the first half, Chiesa saw Pratesi penetrating into the left side of the penalty box and delivered an accurate penetration pass.

Prateshi had a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper with the pass, but with a ridiculous shot, the ball did not even reach the goal and was blocked by a save.

Ukraine took advantage by putting pressure on Jorginho.

In the 44th minute of the first half, when Jorginho caught the ball near the halfway line, the Ukrainian players used pressure to find the ball, and Sudakov's cross was headed to Mudrik.

However, Mudrik did not catch the cross properly and was unable to finish the opportunity with a shot.

The two teams, who finished the first half tied 0-0, continued their offensive in the second half, but rarely scored.

Mudrik's shot was blocked by Donnarumma, making Ukrainian fans sigh.

In the 20th minute of the second half, Ukraine's long throw-in was delivered straight into the Italian penalty box, and the ball flowed to Mudrik, who was rushing from the other side.

Mudrik finished the shot with a powerful shot in a 1-on-1 opportunity with Donnarumma, but was unable to penetrate Donnarumma, who narrowed the angle, and was blocked.

Italy also attempted a counterattack by blocking Ukraine's attack.

In the 31st minute of the second half, Chiesa, who was located on the right side of the penalty box, threw a sharp cross in front of the goal, but the ball did not properly reach Gianluca Scamacca's head.

Italy, whose advance to the finals was confirmed with a draw, appeared to be focusing on defense to avoid the risk of defeat at the end of the game.

On the other hand, Ukraine made a substitution to lead the game by bringing in Oleksandr Pikalyonok and Oleksandr Zubkov.

Ukraine seemed to have a last chance just before the end of the second half, but the referee did not call a foul.

Mudrik, who received a pass from Zubkov in added time of the second half, collided with opposing midfielder Brian Cristante while penetrating inside the box and fell.

However, the referee who saw the scene did not declare a penalty kick and continued the game as is.

Although the Ukrainian players protested strongly, the decision was not changed.

In the end, Italy and Ukraine failed to score a single goal despite attempting 17 and 7 shots, respectively, and the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

https://www.bacarasite.com/