Azzurre, a step back: what a lesson from Denmark, 1-3 under the downpour

A step back, even if the score is harsh compared to what we saw. Italy falls in La Spezia with Denmark (3-1) on the second day of the Nations League and tastes the bitterness of defeat after eight useful results, thus losing some certainties. On the road to the European Championship in July the alarm is not sounding, but there are still some points to work on. Also because on the eve of the match the coach Soncin had explicitly asked for great attention to defensive details. He did not get it and - when all is said and done - the lack was lethal, against stronger opponents than Wales, beaten five days ago.

- The first half is intense on a competitive level (there are a few fouls, in the refereeing of the match by the Spanish Rivera Olmedo) and blocked for long stretches: either because of the rain that weighs down the pitch, or because of the very high level of knowledge between the protagonists. In Denmark's 3-4-3, six of the eleven starters play in our championship: the entire defensive trio (Ballisager and Faerge from Fiorentina, plus Troelsgaard who plays midfield for Roma), in midfield Thogersen from Roma and Snerle (also from Fiorentina), up front the Juventus player Vangsgaard. Soncin, compared to Monza, makes five changes and completely revolutionizes the attack with Beccari supporting Cambiaghi and Giacinti. The interval arrives with two flashes: after just 4' Giugliano tries from outside the area forcing Ostergaard to deflect onto the crossbar, but on the rebound Giacinti is offside. The Danes were even more dangerous in the 19th minute with Vangsgaard, who also headed the ball into the crossbar (completely lost in the marking) on ​​a nice cross from Thomsen.

The start of the second half was more lively: the Danes' ability to create density in the three-quarter line produced the advantage, with Faerge advancing to shoot from the edge of the area - that ball should have been cleared away earlier - and deceiving Giuliani with a right-footed shot with a strange effect. Even if they were not used to being behind in Soncin's management (less than 15% of the time was spent chasing, in 18 games), Italy deserved credit for reacting immediately with malice: the substitute Cantore recovered a ball that seemed lost, the cross was constructed without forcing and Boattin served the assist to Cambiaghi's head for the 1-1. It was the fourth goal for the Inter striker, who was given her debut in the national team by the current coach. The balance did not last long, however. That application in the containment work requested by Soncin goes to waste on the Danish doubling: Snerle's percussion from the right side of the three-quarter line finds no opposition, even less the control in the area by Holmgaard (although of great quality) who sends Di Guglielmo empty and finds the goal from a few meters. Back in front, Denmark consolidates in the defensive block with the application of those who respect the danger of the Azzurre. But, with Italy unbalanced forward to try to recover, a visionary ball from Harder sends Thomsen to the goal for the 3-1 that closes the game. "The result does not do justice to the performance - Soncin's hot comment -, there is room for improvement in various aspects but for 85', in any case, it was the match we wanted". There are four more to go, in this Nations League, to get to the European Championship without the unpleasant feeling that finding the goal of the Azzurri might not be so complicated.