Saturday, June 26th 2021
Update
Kalajdzic hit is not enough
Two jokers save Italy in overtime
Austria has the co-favorites Italy shortly before the drama: The sovereign group winner has to book a place in the quarter-finals of the European Football Championship in extra time. Even after two hits it gets really tight again. Because Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic meets.
Italy’s invincibles continued their impressive record series and took the next step towards their first European Championship triumph in 53 years – albeit with a lot of effort. The four-time world champion prevailed in the round of 16 at London’s Wembley Stadium 2-1 (0-0) after extra time against outsider Austria and is the first in its history in 31 games without a defeat. “That is a deserved result. We believed in it right up to the end, we wanted to win with all our strength,” said coach Roberto Mancini.
The Joker Federico Chiesa (95th) and Matteo Pessina (105th) shot the Azzurri for the twelfth win in a row. The European champion from 1968, on Friday (9 p.m. in the ntv.de live ticker) meeting Belgium or Portugal in the round of the last eight in Munich broke several records.
The Italians had only remained unbeaten 30 times in the 1930s under Vittorio Pozzo, who led them to the World Cup in 1934 and 1938. Austria’s Sasa Kalajdzic (114th) gave the Italians the first goal since October 14, 2020 after 1168 minutes. Before that, the Italians had cracked their record with goalkeeping legend Dino Zoff between 1972 and 1974.
For the Austrians around long-time Bayern star David Alaba, the best EM in history ended in the round of 16. They missed their first win in a knockout game in a major tournament since the 1954 World Cup. “That is absolutely bitter and undeserved,” said Kalajdzic on ORF: “We were at least equal.” He emphasized: “I think this is not only the cruelest game of my career, but also in the entire history of Austrian football.”
Game under strict quarantine
Actually, 45,000 spectators should populate the football cathedral in London, because the permitted capacity had been increased to 50 percent. But only 18,910 fans were lost in the wide circle, mainly because of the very strict entry rules with quarantine.
Kalajdzic still scored, it was no longer enough.
(Photo: AP)
Austria’s coach Franco Foda had suggested in advance that he should play in another city because of this. Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi had spoken out against EM games in London because of the Delta variant and the increasing corona infections.
Foda had again counted on nine Bundesliga professionals in the starting line-up, while captain Alaba started again as a left full-back. Italy coach Roberto Mancini changed hands again after the 1-0 win against Wales and rotated seven regular players back into the team.
The Italians got into the game better, but left-back Lorenzo Spinazzola missed the ball after Hoffenheim’s Florian Grillitsch lost the ball (11th). Lorenzo Insigne also failed to goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann (14th). When Nicolo Barella’s outside foot shot, the keeper saved in dire need (17th).
The pressure increased, Alaba and Co. could hardly free themselves. Also because the Azzurri immediately pressed very high when they lost the ball. Unlucky was the ex-Dortmund Ciro Immobile, who hit the post with a long-range shot (32nd). Despite the oppressive superiority, the favorite went into the break with a 0-0 break – the Austrians applauded for successful defensive actions.
Arnautovic wafer-thin offside
After changing sides, the picture changed. After a mistake by Leonardo Bonucci, Marko Arnautovic prevailed against several opponents, but his shot landed on the sideline (49th). Alaba failed a little later with a free kick from the edge of the penalty area (52nd).
The Italians were having a much harder time than in the first half, they seemed increasingly frustrated. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma got more work. The keeper was lucky when Arnautovic overcame him with his head, but the goal was denied after video evidence because of offside (65th). Substitute Chiesa broke the spell in extra time – after a mistake by Alaba that left a gap.
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