GROUP A
Italy 0-0 Wales
Kieran O'Brien
Stadio Olimpico, Roma, Italy
Sunday 21st June
Joe Ledley dancing on the Toulouse turf was undoubtedly one of the defining images of Euro 2016. Wales had just secured qualification to the knockout stages of the tournament having made light work of Russia and, as group winners, knew that they would be handed a favourable draw to qualify for the quarter finals. Four years is a long time in football, with Ledley’s fine form for A-League outfit Newcastle Jets not enough to convince Ryan Giggs that he was worthy of a place in Wales’ finals squad. Yet, as Wales celebrated another job well done this evening in Rome, it was again Ledley who instigated a party atmosphere amongst the travelling Welsh contingent. Shortly after the final whistle at the Stadio Olimpico had sounded, television cameras captured the bearded Welsh cult hero hilariously leading a dance in the stands. The atmosphere, though not quite as comical, was similarly jubilant on the field. Wales have not topped their group on this occasion but face a favourable tie against Russia or Denmark in the next round and, as they proved to be in 2016, look extremely difficult to beat.
The pre match headlines were dominated by Roberto Mancini’s team selection. The Italy boss made eight changes from the side which dismantled Switzerland four days ago, with the tournament’s top scorer Federico Chiesa given a well-earned rest. With qualification from group A already secured, Mancini was clearly using the match as an opportunity to have a look at his second string, with youngsters such as Luca Pellegrini and Sandro Tonali given the opportunity to stake a claim for a starting spot in the knockout stages. Turkey boss Senol Gunes interpreted the team selection very differently. Responding to a question about Mancini’s team selection before his own side took on Switzerland in Group A’s concurrent fixture, he stated ‘I have seen the Italy team. I expect to see a draw in Rome’.
Gunes was, of course, alluding to the fact that a draw between Italy and Wales would see both sides safely through to the next round, with Turkey needing to beat Switzerland and relying on an Italian victory to guarantee qualification. Yet, as the opening sequences played out in Rome, it quickly became apparent that Gunes’ fears were unfounded. West Germany vs Austria in 1982 this was not. Chris Mepham’s return from suspension was the only change to a Wales team that had enthralled in attack against Turkey, and here they started in similarly energetic fashion. Gareth Bale was not interested in giving Pellegrini a gentle welcome to major tournament football; first the Madrid man mercilessly nutmegged the Juventus youngster, then muscling him out of possession and releasing Daniel James. The Manchester United speedster did very well to square the ball to Aaron Ramsey, who will be disappointed that his tame effort failed to test Salvatore Sirigu in the Italian goal. Moments later, Will Vaulks stung Sirigu’s palms with a vicious effort from the edge of the box, and it was clear that the Welsh had come to play.
Italy were struggling to find the attacking spark that had delighted their home supporters in their previous group games. Perhaps understandably considering Mancini’s wholesale changes, there was a lack of fluidity in everything they tried. Ciro Immobile, given another chance to prove himself after the penalty debacle in the win over Switzerland, cut an increasingly isolated figure up front as Tonali and Nicolo Zaniola struggled to stamp their authority in midfield. Wales, meanwhile, looked confident and assured in possession, with Aaron Ramsey in particular impressing with his work rate and ability to find space in between Italian defenders. Ramsey would have surely approached this game feeling he had something to prove; consigned to the bench for the majority of Juventus’ season and an unused substitute in their Champions League final defeat to Atletico Madrid, he was chastised by sections of the Italian press as a failed signing. Here was a timely reminder that on his day, Ramsey is one of the brightest midfield talents in Europe.
On the stroke of half time, Italy were almost ahead thanks to some woeful Welsh defending. Joe Rodon was the culprit for Wales, mis-controlling a Ben Davies pass to allow Federico Bernadeschi through on goal. The Juventus winger opted to chip the stranded Wayne Hennessey, a move which very nearly paid dividends as his fine effort rebounded off the crossbar. A let off for Wales, but a timely reminder of their defensive frailties which allowed Turkey to score three times in their previous outing.
Half time saw the introduction of Nicolo Barella, the mercurial Cagliari midfielder who has proven to be one of Euro 2020’s breakout stars. The switch appeared to spark Italy into life, as they dominated large swathes of the second half. Immobile was far more involved as Italy time and again burst forward; only a fine Ben Davies block prevented the Lazio man from opening his tournament account on the hour mark. Giggs attempted to shore up his midfield with the introduction of the fit-again Ethan Ampadu for the ineffective Kieffer Moore, but even with an extra body in midfield Wales seemed unable to secure any meaningful possession. On 80 minutes, Immobile came closer again to breaking his duck, rattling the bottom of Hennessey’s post with a deflected drive from the corner of the box.
At this point, particularly with news trickling through from Baku that Turkey led Switzerland, Wales seemed content to cling on for a point and guarantee a second-place finish in the group. Ricardo Orsolini however, had other ideas. Driving at the heart of the Welsh defence, his pace was far too much for Mepham to handle. The Bournemouth centre half attempted to poke the ball out for a corner, but only succeeded in tripping Orsolini and conceding a penalty. Giggs had his head in his hands, as did half of the Welsh support in the stands. If a draw secured a winnable tie against Denmark or Russia, a defeat and a second Turkey goal in Baku led to the very real possibility of a second-round clash against Spain or France.
As it transpired, Wales need not have worried. With designated penalty taker Jorginho off the field and no sign of a teammate looking for a hat-trick, Immobile confidently placed the ball on the spot to surely bag his first goal of the campaign. Yet as any striker will tell you, when things are not going your way, scoring a goal can seem like the hardest thing in the world. Immobile’s run up was assured enough, but he hit the penalty wildly, the ball spiralling into the ecstatic sea of red behind the goal. Just as well too, as moments later Turkey took a two-goal lead in Baku which would have consigned Wales to third place in the group. The Turks should still qualify as one of the four best performing third place sides but will rue the fact that Immobile was unable to hand them an easier passage into the quarter finals. Wales, meanwhile, secure a place in the knockout stages with the sense that they still have not turned in a complete display at this tournament. A point in Rome against an in-form Italy is nevertheless a great result for Giggs’ men; if they can eliminate the defensive mistakes that have tainted their performances thus far, Wales supporters can dare to dream of a repeat of 2016’s heroic run to the semi finals.
Man of the Match: Nicolo Barella