The Italy-Ukraine UEFA Euro 2024 qualification match took place on November 20, 2023, in the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany.
According to Naija News, Italy, the incumbent European champions, have earned their place in Euro 2024 after a goalless draw against Ukraine in Leverkusen. Despite the dearth of goals, the game was exciting, with Italy’s strong assault and Ukraine’s counter-attacking style creating multiple chances for both sides.
Ukraine sought for a penalty in the waning stages of the game, but it was disallowed despite the fact that Bryan Cristante of Italy appeared to make contact with Mykhailo Mudryk’s foot.
This victory is noteworthy for Italy because they previously failed to qualify for the World Cups in 2018 and 2022.
Ukraine, on the other hand, was forced to play their home match in Germany due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. They still have a chance to qualify through the playoffs in March 2024, but it will be a difficult road.
Italy arrived in Leverkusen thinking that avoiding defeat would be enough to advance, whilst Ukraine understood that only victory would suffice.
Luciano Spalletti, who took over as Italy’s coach three months ago when Roberto Mancini unexpectedly resigned as Saudi Arabia’s national team coach, remarked on Monday that Italy had a “duty to defend” their championship and pledged to continue taking risks against Ukraine.
Mudryk was a lively presence on Ukraine’s left flank and generated numerous half-chances early on, but his team was let down by poor finishing.
After half an hour, Italy’s possession domination began to pay dividends, with Federico Chiesa slipping a silky pass across the face of the goal that eluded a desperate Davide Frattesi.
Although Italy continued to attack early in the second half, as the game went, the increasingly apprehensive Italians sat back, giving Ukraine more room up front.
Mudryk was a persistent menace and appeared to be fouled in the area by Cristante, but the referee turned down his team’s urgent penalty demands.
