Italy vs. Bosnia: Fratessi’s strike secures win for Azzurr

Italy ended their 2024 European Championship preparation on a positive note after securing a 1-0 win over Boss Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday night.

Luciano Spalletti’s men, though experimenting, are getting accustomed to his formation as they go into EURO 2024.

Italy got the win courtesy of Davide Frattesi’s volley on a Federico Chiesa cross.

Before this final warm-up game before the EURO 2024 campaign kicks off next week, the Azzurri had played a 0-0 draw with Turkey. 

Spalletti changed the system from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1, giving Riccardo Calafiori his first start. That leaves the next opponent with the headache the former Napoli boss could apply when they play their first match in Germany.

Andrea Cambiaso released a cross from the left to Gianluca Scamacca, who failed to connect with it. At the same time, Gigio Donnarumma made a fantastic fingertip save on Hajradinovic after Calafiori’s poor backpass was intercepted.

Italy could have opened the goals account after having a double opportunity through some quick one-touch passing. The first was a desperate tackle on Davide Frattesi, while the second was Federico Chiesa’s follow-up, which was cleared off the line by Katic.

Frattesi had another chance to score but failed to convert again when sent precise moments later by a Scamacca back-heel flick. The heavy first touch was poor, and the goalkeeper had an opportunity to smother.

In the experiment, the Al side almost got punished for sluggish play. All thanks to Donnarumma for pushing the Gazibegovic free kick out from under the bar and Matteo Darmian, who charged down the Hajradinovic effort after a poor Alessandro Buongiorno clearance.

Italy finally got in front through a beautifully-worked goal. Chiesa floated a cross from the left for an acrobatic Frattesi volley with the inside of the right boot into the near top corner from 12 yards to score what eventually became the winner. The Inter midfielder has scored five goals in just 15 senior caps for Italy.

Scamacca had the chance to make it two, but his shot was denied by a fingertip save out from under the bar following a clever, quick passing move. The Atalanta man again wasted a much easier opportunity from 12 yards with a weak sweep.

Italy almost conceded in stoppage time. Dimarco made a weak backpass, and Donnarumma was alert to rush in to deny Ahmedhodzic.