International friendly: Italy top, disappointment France

The midweek football round is dedicated to the friendlies of the national teams, useful matches for testing new schemes and new players but perhaps superfluous in this historical moment obviously due to the pandemic. There is not a single day when new players are not positive and the teams are increasingly decimated and forced to face their opponents by deploying players from the youth teams.

But the show must go on and so everyone on the pitch to play and entertain the spectators from home. Let's see which were the most important meetings in this round.

Netherlands-Spain 1-1

Among the best teams in Europe, the show was not lacking although the result can be deceiving. The Netherlands and Spain proved to be balanced and attentive to dribbling, with ball possession practically equal (49% Netherlands and 51% Spain), and even the shots on goal are equal (4-4). The Spanish team took the lead with a goal from Sergio Canales in the 19 ', on an assist from Alvaro Morata. The Netherlands did not give up and after several attempts managed to reach a tie in the 47th minute with
Donny van de Beeg. The two teams continue to attempt the goal of mutual advantage but the game ends in a draw.

Germany-Czech Republic 1-0

A hard-fought match at the Red Bull Arena and the Czech team, although already at a disadvantage in the 13th minute with a goal by the German Waldschmidt, tried several times to equalize but never reached it. Experienced Germany kept the score and often looked at the opponent's goal without ever going beyond the 1-0 result.

Italy-Estonia 4-0

Really consistent result of the home team that literally dominates the game with a dry result. From the very first minutes Italy tried to take the lead and in the 14th minute Grifo, on an assist from Lasagna, with a shot from outside the opponent's air aimed at the right post of the goal and surprised the Estonian goalkeeper. The doubling of Italy takes place on 27 with an incredible action by Bernardeschi who focuses from the right wing and shoots a cannon shot out of the opponent's air, surprising the goalkeeper once again, always on the same post as the first goal. The second half always begins with the Italian pressing on the defense of Estonia, the opposing defenders are forced to numerous interventions that trigger two penalties at 75 'and 86', respectively scored by Grifo and Orsolini. A brilliant game that showed a very high state of health of the players.

France-Finland 0-2

The Scandinavian team are not at all intimidated by the French and despite the great pressure of the home team managed to surprise the defense in the 28th minute with a beautiful Finnish action that took the lead thanks to Marcus Forss. But that's not all and after just 3 minutes Valakari scores from distance and surprises the opposing defense. France are desperately trying to close the gap but Finland will defend themselves very well and will be able to keep the result until the end of the match! Really great performance for Kanerva players!

These friendlies, probably underestimated by some teams, have shown some difficulty on the part of the favorites to the European Championship. There have been many absences from players affected by Covid-19 and perhaps the fear of the virus has influenced, in my opinion understandably, the desire to play.