Bosnia & Herzegovina 0-2 Italy: Player Ratings as the Azzurri March Into Nations League Semi Finals
By Ali Rampling
Italy progressed to the final four of the Nations League with a comfortable 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday evening.
Roberto Mancini's side were guaranteed to top their Nations League group ahead of the Netherlands with victory, and they did just that via two fabulously taken goals from Andrea Belotti and Domenico Berardi
Italy opened the scoring after 22 minutes courtesy of a slick counter attacking move, Belotti expertly tucking home first time following Lorenzo Insigne's pinpoint cross.
The visitors doubled their advantage on 68 as Berardi raced onto Manuel Locatelli's lofted pass and slammed a sweetly struck volley into the net to confirm their semi final spot.
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) - 6/10 - Produced a smart save to keep Smail Prevljak out in the first half, had very little to do in the second.
Alessandro Florenzi (RB) - 6/10 - Combined well with Berardi but looked lethargic as the first period came to a close and was replaced at half time.
Francesco Acerbi (CB) - 6/10 - Almost doubled Italy's lead in the second half, flashing the ball across the face of the goal after getting in behind. Solid defensively and the hosts rarely threatened.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB) - 6/10 - Kept the ball moving quickly as Italy built from the back and won the lot in the air.
Emerson (LB) - 6/10 - Rarely troubled defensively and linked up well with the excellent Insigne down the left flank.
2. Midfielders
Jorginho (CDM) - 7/10 - Typically neat and efficient in possession, keeping Italy ticking over and rarely giving the ball away. A classic Jorginho performance.
Nicolò Barella (CM) - 8/10 - Played a magnificent cross field pass in the first half to send Insigne clean through. Lively and energetic, Bosnia and Herzegovina could not cope with his boundless enthusiasm and constant running.
Manuel Locatelli (CM) - 8/10 - Demonstrated great strength to win the ball in the middle of the park, triggering a lightening quick counter attack from which Italy took the lead, and picked out Berardi with a superb lofted pass for Italy's second.
3. Forwards
Domenico Berardi (RW) - 8/10 - Doubled Italy's lead with a perfectly timed run and superbly struck volley in the second half.
Andrea Belotti (ST) - 7/10 - Stabbed home a terrific first time finish from close range to open the scoring, demonstrating terrific movement, timing and execution. Fired a good chance into the side netting in the second half.
Lorenzo Insigne (LW) - 8/10 - Picked out Belotti with a sumptuous pass for Italy's opener, should have doubled Italy's lead when clean through in the first half. An absolute live wire all evening.
4. Substitutes
Giovanni Di Lorenzo - 6/10
Federico Bernardeschi - 6/10
Kevin Lasagna - 5/10
Davide Calabria - N/A