Euro 2020 Match 15: Italy Return Home to Win Against Hapless Ukraine

The following article provides an oversight for matches and tournaments taking place in 2020.

Euro 2020 Match 15: Ukraine v Italy

Italy Return Home to Win Against Hapless Ukraine

June 19, 2020

Ukraine 0 Italy 1

 

Italy returned home to face the Ukraine at the Stadio Olimpico to wrestle back some semblance of pride after being profoundly defeated by Belgium. Their back four formation took hold after the dismal first match performance.

 

Alessio Romagnoli had the first ping on goal, though from outside the box he had little hope of overcoming the Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov.

 

From a similar range, Federico Chiesa had a shot, only to hit the post. Later, Filippo Bernardeschi caught onto a cross from the left wing, heading the ball to Jorginho, whose header trickled to Pyatov.

 

Chiesa then was the final player in a string of passes, only his shot lacked the strength to beat Pyatov, who punched it out for a corner. From the corner, Bernardeschi’s header hit the crossbar, much to the angst of the Italian crowd.

 

The rest of the half amounted to little, largely thanks to the Ukrainian defence holding firm.

 

After the break, the Ukraine had a ping from 25 yards out, with Taras Stepanenko missing to the left of goal. However, the Italians kept their opponents at bay, much to the frustration of Oleksandr Karavayev, who received a yellow card for his late challenge.

 

Karavayev then won the ball off an Italian defender, but being the defence type, could not produce a shot worthy of a goal.

 

Finally, in the 69th minute, Italy put the pressure on the Ukrainians. Substitute Marco Verratti nearly scored, only for Pyatov to close the shot. With defenders back in numbers, Italy attacked again. Stefano Sensi had his shot from outside the box blocked. The ball fell to Jorginho, who left-footed the ball through the legs of a Ukrainian defender. Italy had the lead.

 

Needing a goal back, the Ukraine went on the advance, working little touches as they advanced up the ground. The through ball nearly set up substitute Viktor Kovalenko, only for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to beat him to the ball.

 

The Ukraine tried in vain as the Italian defence held firm, leaving the match 1-0 in favour of the home side.

 

	Group A	Pl	W	D	L	Pts	GD
1	Belgium	2	1	1	0	4	+3
2	Serbia	2	1	1	0	4	+2
3	Italy	2	1	0	1	3	-2
4	Ukraine	2	0	0	2	0	-3

 

 

Belgium tackles the Ukraine next in the hope of securing top spot, while the bottom dwellers must win by a large margin to have any hope of coming third and progressing. Serbia flies back to Italy to face the Italians who will look to build on the momentum of their win over the Ukraine. A draw will automatically mean Serbia go through, while it will help the Italians be one of the better third-placed sides.