Italy 2-0 Moldova (Jun 9, 2025) Game Analysis – ESPN

Sacked Italy supervisor Luciano Spalletti bowed out with a victory after his aspect laboured to an uninspired 2-0 house win over Moldova of their World Cup qualification fit on Monday because of targets from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso.

Spalletti introduced his personal dismissal on Sunday following Italy’s 3-0 loss in Norway of their opening crew sport on Friday, however took price for one ultimate time the place once more the efficiency confirmed why a transformation of management was once required.

Norway, who gained 1-0 in Estonia with Erling Haaland netting the winner, most sensible Group I on 12 issues from 4 video games, with Israel on six issues after 3 fits whilst Italy are 3rd with 3 issues from their two video games.

“I asked the guys to let me go out with a victory,” Spalletti instructed Sky Sport in a while earlier than kickoff.

While his gamers duly obliged, it was once most likely a becoming finish to Spalletti’s time at the bench as any other lacklustre appearing did not remove darkness from a a long way from complete Stadio Citta del Tricolore.

With Italy’s gradual, predictable build-up play failing to damage in the course of the guests’ rearguard, the hosts got an early warning call when Ion Nicolaescu discovered the online just for his target to be dominated out for offside.

Italy’s first danger got here when defender Luca Ranieri, making his global debut, hit the crossbar with a header, they usually discovered the step forward 5 mins earlier than the damage.

A headed clearance fell to Raspadori within the field who struck first time into the ground nook however Moldova virtually levelled earlier than halftime when Oleg Reabciuk’s shot from distance was once parried away via Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Artur Ionita’s follow-up effort went large of the a long way put up and Daniel Dumbravanu’s header from a nook was once cleared off the road via Federico Dimarco as Italy hung onto their lead.

Italy doubled their lead 5 mins into the second one part when replace Riccardo Orsolini despatched a low go into the world which Davide Frattesi knocked directly to Cambiaso who fired previous keeper Cristian Avram.

The two-goal cushion did not encourage Italy. Frattesi was once despatched via on target from a ball excessive via Alessandro Bastoni however he despatched his shot immediately on the keeper and Moldova persevered to create possibilities of their very own.

“We struggled again tonight,” Spalletti instructed Rai Sport. “When you are the coach of the national team you cannot have alibis because he chooses the players and if they don’t do well he can change them.”

Spalletti’s title was once booed via massive sections of the gang when learn out earlier than kickoff, and the sport did not give a boost to the temper. Italian fanatics will hope for higher when a substitute, rumoured to be Claudio Ranieri, is put in.