Italy 0-0 Portugal
Portugal knew that securing a draw in Milan would mean they were home and hosed in the UEFA Nations League.
That would ensure they mathematically won Group A3 and go through to the final four at the expense of the Azzurri who had only taken four points from their opening three games.
However, the reigning European champions were missing world number one Cristiano Ronaldo as well as the suspended Pepe and the injured Andre Gomes against opponents who simply had to attack from the outset.
This clash at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza was going to be compelling for that reason alone.
And so it proved.
Highlights of the game
Portugal had not lost a competitive away fixture (apart from in tournaments) since a 2-0 loss in Switzerland in September 2016.
Yet even SBOBET fans of the most Portuguese of persuasions will know they were fortunate to still be on level terms after one of the most one-sided first halves you will ever see.
The UEFA Nations League 2018 highlights package regularly recorded Rui Patricio who denied Lorenzo Insigne early on before Ciro Immobile fired the rebound over.
Alessandro Florenzi drove just wide, Wolves keeper Patricio then denied Immobile again and even centre-back Leonardo Bonucci – jeered by home fans for leaving Milan after just one season – found the side netting as the Italians dominated chance-wise and territorially.
Such was their dominance that AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (who is hard to forget is still a teenager) was largely a spectator as he won his 11th cap in his home stadium.
So was Giorgio Chiellini as he celebrated his 100th senior Italy cap – precisely 14 years to the day since his debut against Finland.
They were hoping to keep out the ‘Silva’ Portuguese attacking duo of Bernardo Silva and Milan-owned Andre Silva who scored the only goal when these sides met in September.
Indeed, from the first whistle, it was easy to see why excitement is building in Italy over the style and longevity the ‘mister’ is focusing on.
The control they had was further highlighted by the fact Ruben Neves and Napoli full-back Mario Rui were booked and will be suspended against Poland on Tuesday night.
Yet for all of Patricio’s brilliance, it was clear to see why Italy have only scored 11 goals in their last 15 games.
They knew they had to win to keep their chances alive and initially began the second half as they had played the first.
Immobile has fired blanks in his last eight international appearances, and Insigne continued to lead the line with energy. Federico Chiesa’s first-time shot was deflected away when it seemed destined for the net, and Nicolo Barella saw a volley blocked. Despite continuing to dominate possession, the chances weren’t arriving for the Italians with such regularity as they had in the opening 45 minutes.
Naturally unable to maintain their first-half tempo, Portugal pushed themselves.
Joao Mario fired over the bar, and then the virtually redundant Donnarumma pushed away a William Carvalho ‘daisy-cutter’.
Slowly but surely, for the first time all night, the UEFA Nations League 2018 odds looked like they were heading in favour of the visiting side.
Slowly but surely, Portugal came more into the game and looked like a side unbeaten on their competitive travels for over two years.
Insigne fired just wide from distance, and substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini headed straight at Patricio but Italy, whose last six home matches have been stalemates, could not find a breakthrough.
Portugal held on – perhaps that’s one of the reasons why they’re European Champions.
Key statistics
Italy’s home run of six successive draws is now the country’s longest winless streak in the Peninsula since 1923-25.
They all finished 1-1 (Ukraine, Poland, Netherlands, Macedonia) save for a 0-0 draw (the World Cup play-off with Sweden at San Siro in November 2017).
The Azzurri last lost in Milan 27 games and 93 years ago.
Chiellini has become only the seventh player to reach 100 Italy caps.
Chiellini and Bonucci were the only players in the Italy starting XI aged over 30.
The only time Italy have managed to score more than once during the past six months was Roberto Mancini’s debut in charge, a 2-1 friendly over Saudi Arabia in May.
Portugal had lost their only four previous trips to Milan (in 1929, 1957, 1987 and 1993).
The latter game, a 1-0 Italy success in November 1993, saw Mancini come off the bench for the side, then managed by Arrigo Sacchi, who would go onto reach the World Cup Final the following summer.
Top of Form
What’s next?
Italy round off their 2018 with a home friendly against the USA on Tuesday (November 20).
Portugal complete their group campaign by entertaining Poland in Guimaraes at the same time.
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