15 October 2018
Roberto Mancini's Italy got off the mark last night, winning 0-1 in Poland at the Stadium Slaski, in the UEFA Nations League.
Juventus' Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Federico Bernardeschi all started the game for the Azzurri, whilst Wojciech Szczesny was in goal for Poland.
Italy went close to scoring inside the first minute when Chelsea's Jorginho hit the crossbar from outside the D, before Lorenzo Insigne also saw a chance hit the woodwork on the stretch. Szczesny was on hand to perform good saves to keep out the Italians, with Poland also threatening up the other end in what was an end-end game, despite being largely dominated by Italy.
It took until stoppage time for the breakthrough to come, and it arrived when substitute, Kevin Lasagna laid an Insigne corner on a plate for Fiorentina defender, Cristiano Biraghi to slide home.
Elsewhere in Europe, Joao Cancelo remained on the bench, as Portugal defeated Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park in a friendly.
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL ACTION
Miralem Pjanic's Bosnia and Herzegovina host Northern Ireland in the Nations League today, whilst tomorrow will see two Bianconeri derbies. Blaise Matuidi's France play Emre Can's Germany, also in the Nations League, with a prestigious friendly between Alex Sandro's Brazil and Paulo Dybala's Argentina taking place in Saudi Arabia.
