HT: Jorginho puts Poland on the spot

Jorginho’s penalty has given Italy the half-time lead in this Nations League showdown with Poland, while Lorenzo Insigne had a goal disallowed.

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The Azzurri were down to the bare bones, as 20 players pulled out through injury, COVID-19 or inconclusive swab tests. Andrea Belotti and first time captain Alessandro Florenzi passed late fitness tests, with Alessandro Bastoni getting only his second senior cap. Even coach Roberto Mancini was self-isolating at home following his positive test, so assistant manager Alberico Evani was on the bench instead.

This was a head-to-head for the top spot in Group A and with it a place in the Nations League Final Four tournament. The Netherlands had eight points (having already played), Poland seven and Italy six.

Nicolò Barella is starting to make a back-heel flick assist his trademark and it almost paid off again, setting up Federico Bernardeschi for a left-foot strike beaten away by Wojciech Szczesny.

Lorenzo Insigne had the ball in the net on Barella’s pull-back, but it was disallowed because Belotti was in an offside position and interfering with play, blocking Szczesny from getting to it.

There is no VAR in the Nations League, which is fortunate for Robert Lewandowski, who escaped punishment for an elbow on Bastoni.

VAR wasn’t necessary moments later, as Krychowiak had both arms wrapped around Belotti’s waist and dragged him down as a short corner was whipped in. Jorginho converted the penalty with his usual stuttering run and jump, sending Szczesny the wrong way.

Belotti came close to a stunning strike, his volley just off target from a dinked Insigne free kick, but despite dominating possession and running no risks, the Azzurri struggled to unlock the Polish defence.

Italy 1-0 Poland (Half-Time)

Jorginho pen 27 (I)

Italy: G Donnarumma; Florenzi, Acerbi, Bastoni, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli; Bernardeschi, Belotti, Insigne

Poland: Szczesny; Bereszynski, Glik, Bednarek, Reca; Krychowiak, Moder; Szymanski, Linetty, Jozwiak; Lewandowski

Ref: Turpin (FRA)