Italy to wrestle Austria in extra time – European Football Championship 2021

The wild card stands out: Federico Chiesa. © APA/afp/Frank Augustin

In the second round of 16 of EM there was real excitement. Only in the extension was the decision in favor of the Italians (2: 1).

26. June 2021

After 120 minutes it was clear that they would reach the quarter-finals. Until then it had been an uphill battle fought by the Azura Division with Austria’s neighbors. Only in extra time did Chiesa and Pessina make progress possible, and Sasa Kalajdzic shorted for Austria shortly before the end (2:1).

While Italy won Group A sovereignly at the top of the table (three wins, 7-0 goals), the Austrians qualified only on the last day of the match with a 1-0 victory over Ukraine. It is also possible that the historic round of 16 round by his teammates prompted ÖFB coach Franco Voda to leave his squad unchanged.

Unlike his fellow coaching Roberto Mancini. Compared to the match against Wales (3-0) Mancini changed again, which is why seven new players found themselves in the starting lineup. Italy had suffered a painful loss before: Captain Giorgio Chiellini was absent through injury. The 36-year-old center back picked up a hamstring injury against Wales. Chiellini is already back in training.

Not only the current form, but also history clearly speaks in favor of the Italian national team. In 1962 there was a final defeat against the Austrians. Since then, you have managed to win ten times in thirteen matches and have three draws.

The superior azure don’t reward each other

The first minutes were marked by the Italian attempt to control the match and push the opponent deep into his own half. Time and time again, the Azure transformed quickly after occupying the ball and attacking primarily through the wings. Italy had their first big chance in the 17th minute. A low cross somehow slips to Barilla, who runs dry. ÖFB goalkeeper Bachmann can block a shot on goal with his foot. As a result, Austria was able to free itself properly for the first time from the Italian hug, but Arnautovic was too optimistic from a distance of 20 meters, and in the end he veered dramatically.

The Ciro Immobile caused the biggest upset of the first half. © APA / afp / LAURENCE GRIFFITHS

Italy, meanwhile, was well advanced and was looking for an opening against the well-organized defense of the Austrians. This faltering position led Ciro Immobile to a long-range shot in the 32nd minute, but after a long flying stage he applauded over the crossbar. Biggest chance in the first half! Nothing changed during the match until the end of the first half. The Italians obviously got ahead in all the stats – the only goal was missing. With 0-0, I finally got into the second half.

After the break, the Azures tried to continue their superiority. Nevertheless, Austria managed to do the first exciting action in the second half. After a mistake by Di Lorenzo on Baumgartner, the ÖFB team reached a promising free-kick position. This opportunity was seized by David Alaba, who hit the free kick just over the bar.

Austria celebrates with an offside goal – open match

Until the 60th minute, both teams were at eye level, and no one was able to create clear chances. However, thanks to Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic, the Austrian team advanced in two dangerous ways to the Italian goal in a very short time, but the chances were unsuccessful.

Suddenly the supposed outsider appears more confident and appears more offensive. In the 65th minute, Alaba extended a cross with his head, Arnautovic lurked behind her and headed the ball into the net on the underside of the crossbar – 1-0! But the supposed leadership whistled from the video assistant, and the scorer was offside.

The scene in front of the supposed Austrian leadership. © APA / afp / LAURENCE GRIFFITHS

The moment of shock was clearly noticeable in the Squadra Azzurra, and the Austrians repeatedly appeared dangerously in front of the Italians’ goal. An open exchange of blows was developed, the defensive organization was replaced by offensive-like counterattacks. The fans at Wembley in London received an open match by the two teams. The Italian pressure in the final minutes caused quite a bit of danger, which is why the match eventually moved to overtime.

Chiesa is enough for a moment – Calajditch makes her sexy

In the fifth minute of extra time, Juventus winger Federico Chiesa managed to accept a cross from Spinazzola in the Austrian penalty area. As a result, he let ÖFB Lainer defender out and shoot from a tight angle (95th place) – 1-0 to Italy!

Shortly before the end of the first half of extra time, the initial decision was made. Having previously awarded Insigne a promising free kick, Pesina performed even better. Acerbi claims a winger in central Austria and passes the playing equipment to Pessina, who is on hand to make it 2-0 (105th position).

Six minutes from the end, an Austrian corner entered the Azzurri penalty area. Substitute Sasa Kalajdic shoots a header and hits the ball at the level of the knee. Play equipment lands in the short corner, Donnarumma stands no chance (114.) – 2:1! But in the end, the recent riots of the Austrians were not enough. Italy reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship after an intense 120 minutes. On Sunday, the Azzurri’s opponents will face battles between Belgium and Portugal.

Italy – Austria 2-1

1: 0 Church (95.), 2: 0 Pesina (105.), 2: 1 Calajdic (114).

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