The Azzurre succumbed to a heavy 5-1 defeat in their Euro 2022 opener against France at the New York Stadium in Rotherham, in front of crowd of 8,541. Diacri’s France side ran out worthy winners thanks to a dominating first half display, which saw them score five in the opening 45 minutes. The 2nd half reaction from Italy wasn’t quite enough and sees the Azzurre bottom of Group D, after Belgium and Iceland’s 1-1 draw earlier in the day in Manchester. It was a bitter blow for Gama and her team mates, particularly after Bonansea’s great chance to take the lead after only four minutes. Piemonte got a consolation goal on 76 minutes but it meant nothing, in the end. They will now need two positive results, against Iceland and Belgium, to have any chance of progressing to the quater-final stages.

The match. Head Coach Bertolini set her team up in a 4-3-3 formation: Giuliani in goal, Gama and Linari as the centre-half pairing with Bartoli and Boattin in the full-back positions. There was a midfield three of Galli, Giugliano and Caruso, and in front of them a front line trio of Bergamaschi, Girelli and Bonansea. And it was Bonansea who had the first chance of the game, but a well-time save with her feet by France goalkeeper Peyraud-Magnin thwarted her Juventus team mate. France soon took control of the game and broke the deadlock after nine minutes: Diani got past Boattin, entered the 18 yard box and crossed into the centre. Gama’s soft clearence fell into Geyoro’s path and she had no hesitation in tucking away past Giuliani to open the scoring. Diacre’s side continued with the pressure and three minutes later got the second. Karchaoui on the left hand side crossed the ball in, only for Giuliani to parry the ball into the feet of Katoto, who had an easy tap-in. The Azzurre tried to get back into it but were unable to penetrate the back line of their opponents neither in open play nor in set-piece situations. Instead, it was Renard and company who upped the tempo with an Italian backline struggling to halt the onslaught; the first half ended 5-0 for the French. On 38 minutes, Cascarino struck a sweet strike from outside the box to make it three; two minutes later, Geyoro made it four getting past Giuliani to poke home into an empty net, after combining well with Katoto. Not satisfied with that, the French midfielder won the ball back near the 18 yard box, exchanged passes with Toletti and grabbed their fifth on the stroke of half-time.

 

 

After a half totally dominated by the Bleues, the match could have had the same outlook, but Bertolini’s half-time changes gave a new outlook to the Azzurre formation. Rosucci and Simonetti came on replacing Giugliano and Galli, and the squad tried to re-organise themselves offensively and look tighter defensively. And the chances came: first, Bonansena found Bergamaschi with a great cross, and then Boattin’s left-footed shot went just wide. Further changes in attack would contribute to more pressure being laid on the French defence, but not before VAR intervened to reverse a red card to Gama. On 66 minutes, the defender fouled Geyoro with a high-footed challenge that referee Welch deemed to be a sending-off, but it was soon overturned by VAR after the 4th official asked the British referee to review her decision. From then on, it was Bertolini’s squad who finished the game off with some pride restored with a goal and two glorious opportunities in the last 15 minutes. On 75 minutes, Linari, close to goalkeeper Peyraud-Magnin, missed a loose ball by a whisker, before substitute Piemonte, who had only been on the pitch a couple of minutes, got a consolation goal heading home a Boattin assist. But it was France who were worthy winners in the big match of Group D and take command of the group.

 

France vs Italy 5-1 (5-0 1st half)

 

GOALS: 9', 40' e 45' Geyoro (F), 12'  Katoto (F), 38' Cascarino (F), 76' Piemonte (I)

 

France (4-3-3): Peyraud-Magnin; Périsset, Renard, Tounkara, Karchaoui (87' Baltimore); Geyoro (67' Dali), Bilbault, Toletti; Diani (from 78' Bacha), Katoto (78' Sarr), Cascarino (67' Malard). Subs: Chavas, Palis, Torrent, Mateo, Lerond, Mbock Bathy, Cissoko. Head Coach: Diacre

 

ITALIA (4-3-3): Giuliani; Bartoli, Gama, Linari, Boattin; Caruso (74' Piemonte), Giugliano (46' Simonetti), Galli (46' Rosucci); Bergamaschi, Girelli (59' Giacinti), Bonansea (81' Di Guglielmo). Subs: Schroffenegger, Durante, Lenzini, Sabatino, Bonfantini, Filangeri. Head Coach: Bertolini

 

Referee: Rebecca Welch (England)

 

Bookings: Boattin, Simonetti, Gama

 

Attendance: 8541