PLAYER RATINGS: Verratti was Italy's architect as carved Wales open
PLAYER RATINGS: Marco Verratti was Italy’s architect as he helped carve Wales open in Rome, while Ethan Ampadu endured a tough day at the office which was capped off by an early bath
- Italy continued their perfect start to Euro 2020 with a third straight win v Wales
- Matteo Pessina scored the only goal of the game as the Azzurri won 1-0
- Wales were largely shackled throughout but have still qualified for the Last 16
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
Italy continued their 100 per cent start to life at Euro 2020 as they made it three from three with a 1-0 win over Wales.
Roberto Mancini’s side failed to concede a goal once again and ensured they top Group A after a routine victory, although Wales have still made it through to the knockouts despite their slim defeat.
Matteo Pessina’s strike was enough for all three points, with Wales largely subdued in Rome and controlled by a solid Italy team. With Switzerland failing to overcome them on goal difference, it will be Robert Page’s side joining the Azzuri in the Last 16.
Sportsmail goes through both teams from Sunday’s game at the Stadio Olimpico and gives a rating to each player.
Italy will finish their group stage campaign as winners after a 1-0 win over Wales in Rome
The Dragons failed to offer much of a threat but have still qualfied for the knockout stages
ITALY – 4-3-3
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6
Not given too much to do or worry about with Wales lacking threat and producing just one shot on target.
Rafael Toloi – 6
Given licence to attack and coped comfortably with the threat of pacy Dan James down his right hand side.
Leonardo Bonucci – 6
Looked comfortable in the first half as he shacked the Wales defence before being subbed for Acerbi after half time.
Alessandro Bastoni – 7
Solid at the back and acted as an outlet with his longe range passing. Played a couple of teasing lofted passes over the top that tested Wales.
Alessandro Bastoni was brought in for Giorgio Chiellini and put in a commanding display
Emerson – 6
Bombed forward whenever possible as he showed plenty of intent and let fly with a few shots at Ward.
Matteo Pessina – 7
Tested goalkeeper Ward a couple of times and displayed great attacking awareness to pounce on Verratti’s set-piece to put Italy ahead.
Jorginho – 7
Central to Italy’s play as he dictated tempo and glided around the pitch with the ball. Everything went through the Chelsea man.
Marco Verratti – 8
The architect for Italy. Showed how important he is with this creativity – his free kick for Pessina’s opening goal was inch-perfect and put another on a plate for the midfielder that he failed to put away.
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti was brilliant and acted as a constant source of creativity
Federico Bernadeschi – 6
Hit the post with free kick in the first half and always gave the Wales full-backs something to think about.
Federico Chiesa – 6
Silky footwork and dribbling displays from the young and pacey Juventus star. It’s clear why Mancini rates this starlet so highly.
Andrea Belotti – 5
Brought in for Circo Immobile but proved to be quite wasteful as he spurned a number of decent opportunities.
Andrea Belotti (right) failed to inspire his boss Mancini as he spurned a host of chances
Manager
Roberto Mancini – 6
Rotated his side around with qualification to the knockouts already secured but still set the team up well with a group that got the job done to finish top.
Subs: Francesco Acerbi 6.5 (For Leonardo Bonucci 45), Giacomo Raspadori 6 (For Federico Bernadeschi 75), Bryan Cristiante 6 (For Jorginho 75), Gaetano Castrovilli (For Matteo Pessina 87), Salvatore Sirigu (For Gianluigi Donnarumma 89).
Subs not used: Ciro Immobile, Alex Meret, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Barella, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Spinazzola, Lorenzo Insigne.
WALES – 3-4-3
Danny Ward – 6
Made a handful of smart stops to keep Italy from running away with it although fumbled a catch in the second half.
Joe Rodon – 6
Impressed at the back and helped keep the scoreline modest. Could be making a case to start for Spurs next season with his displays at Euro 2020.
Ethan Ampadu – 5
Struggled to keep Italy at bay as Wales were opened up on a handful of occasions and capped off his day with red card after his stamp on Bernadeschi.
Ethan Ampadu endured a bad day at the office and will miss the Last 16 after his red card
Chris Gunter – 6
Forced to play as a makeshift centre-back in a three-man defence. Performed bravely out of position and after Ampadu’s red card. Booked.
Connor Roberts – 5
Not able to have much of an impact down the right flank and was dispossessed as he looked to provide a threat.
Joe Morrell – 5
A tough day for the Luton Town midfielder up against Jorginho and Verratti. Subbed for Moore after the red card.
Wales midfielder Joe Morrell (R) was given a reality check as he struggled opposite Verratti
Joe Allen – 6
Tenacious in the tackle as he tried to unsettle the Azzurri but could have offered more for Wales going forward.
Neco Williams – 6
Wasn’t given the chance to contribute to the Wales attack and instead forced to track back as Page’s men kept men behind the ball.
Gareth Bale – 5
Showed glimpses of quality but struggled to exert his influence in the game against a stubborn defence and missed a glorious late chance to covert from close range.
Gareth Bale fluffed a huge opportunity to put Wales level as he failed to exert his influence
Aaron Ramsey – 5
Man of the match against Turkey but not his best display here as he was deployed in attack. Italy’s back-line handled him comfortably.
Daniel James – 6
Was pinpointed as Wales’ biggest threat against an ageing side and certainly kept Italy alert with some clever deliveries.
Manager
Robert Page – 6
Took a risk to set Wales up with a back three but his side kept things tight against a talented team to maintain their superior goal difference.
Subs: Harry Wilson 6 (For Daniel James 74), Kieffer Moore 6 (For Joe Morrell 60) Dylan Levitt (For Joe Allen 86) Ben Davies (For Neco Williams 86), David Brooks (For Gareth Bale 86).
Subs not used: Chris Mepham, Adam Davies, Tom Lockyer, Jonathan Williams, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Wayne Hennessey, Tyler Roberts.
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