Italy continue Euro 2024 build-up with win over Ecuador in New Jersey
Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolo Barella were on target as holders Italy continued their Euro 2024 build-up with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador in New Jersey.
The goals came at the beginning and end of the friendly at the Red Bull Arena with Pellegrini opening the scoring with a ferocious strike after just three minutes.
Ecuador enjoyed a spell of pressure in the second half but failed to take advantage and Barella sealed the win with a fine lobbed finish in time added on.
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti changed his entire XI from Thursday’s game against Venezuela with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and defender Raoul Bellanova making their debuts.
The Azzurri were quick out of the blocks and won an early free-kick outside the Ecuador area after Alan Franco fouled Giacomo Raspadori.
Federico Dimarco’s initial strike from the set-piece was blocked by the wall but the danger was not averted for Ecuador as the ball bounced invitingly towards Pellegrini.
The Roma forward displayed great awareness and technique as he launched himself and connected with a ferocious left-foot volley that flew past Javier Burrai into the top corner.
Italy pushed for more and Dimarco put a header wide but Ecuador responded by creating chances for Felix Torres and Moises Caicedo, who both missed the target.
Nicolo Zaniolo brought a good save out of Burrai despite scuffing a shot and Raspadori then had an attempt blocked for Italy but Pervis Estupinan and Gonzalo Plata both threatened for Ecuador before the break.
Raspadori drew another save from Burrai with a header early in the second half and Zaniolo also headed wide of goal when he should have done better from close range.
Ecuador then took control and Jeremy Sarmiento had an effort blocked on the hour before Vicario produced a fine save to deny Plata an equaliser.
Estupinan curled a shot narrowly wide as the South Americans kept up the pressure.
Italy tired in the closing stages and were forced to defend deeply.
Ecuador won a succession of corners but were unable to make them count as Kendry Paez had a shot blocked and Willian Pacho headed over the bar.
Italy wrapped up the win after a counter-attack in stoppage time.
Barella applied the finishing touches with a neat dink over the keeper after being played in by Riccardo Orsolini’s clever through ball.
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Bayer Leverkusen star admits Man Utd are 'in his heart'
Matej Kovar has discussed a potential return to Man Utd
The goalkeeper came through the United youth academy
He left to join Bayer Leverkusen in the summer
By Jack Gallagher
Mar 24, 2024
A Bayer Leverkusen player at Man Utd?
A Bayer Leverkusen player at Man Utd? / Clive Brunskill/GettyImages
Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar has admitted Manchester United are 'still in his heart' after leaving the club in 2023.
Kovar joined Man Utd back in 2018 as a 17-year-old but failed to get past the Under-21 set-up during his five years at the club, not making a single appearance for the first team. Following loan spells at Swindon Town, Burton Albion and Sparta Prague, the Czech goalkeeper made a permanent move to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
While Kovar failed to break into the first-team, the Red Devils ensured that a first refusal clause was attached to the deal with Leverkusen.
Since completing a £7.7m move to Leverkusen and signing a four-year deal at the Bay Arena, Kovar has been utilised sporadically by Xabi Alonso due to the fantastic form of veteran goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
Kovar has featured just once in the Bundesliga while Leverkusen have stormed to an eight-point lead atop of the table, but he has been a regular in cup competitions, making ten appearances across the DFB-Pokal and UEFA Europa League thus far this season.
UEFA Europa League 2023/24Bayer 04 Leverkusen v FK Qarabag
Kovar in action / ANP/GettyImages
Speaking to Sport while on international duty with Czechia, Kovar was asked about a potential return to Manchester United in the future.
He said: "No, I have not. It is important for me to start playing regularly and establish a position in Leverkusen. Then, we will see what happens in the future.
"Of course, they're [United] still my heart. I spent many years at the club. I'll take a look when I get a chance. United are going through a difficult season.
"The results are like a merry-go-round. But it's a big and great club, I hope it gets back to the top. We all agreed that going to Leverkusen made sense.
"It was a shift for me. And if someone had told me before the season that I would play around 15 games for Leverkusen, one of the best teams in Europe, I would have taken all ten. I believe that I made the right move and that it will be confirmed in the future."
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Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker withdraw from England squad due to injury
Maguire and Walker are both injured
Lewis and Trafford have been called up from the under-21 set-up
Both could feature against Belgium on Tuesday
By Jack Gallagher
Mar 24, 2024
Both have withdrawn
Both have withdrawn / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
The FA have confirmed that Manchester United's Harry Maguire, Manchester City's Kyle Walker and Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone have all withdrawn from the England senior squad due to respective injuries.
Walker was subbed off just 20 minutes into England's friendly defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening, and after the game Gareth Southgate confirmed that the full-back was set to be assessed in the "coming days." The England stalwart has now returned to Manchester City for said assessment.
Fellow veteran defender Maguire was also taken off in the defeat, coming off in the 67th minute of the game. The Man Utd centre-back had recently dealt with an injury concern but was deemed fit enough to feature against Brazil. Like Walker, Maguire has also been sent back to his club to assess what his new ailment is.
In their absence, as well as Johnstone's, manager Southgate has opted to call Rico Lewis and James Trafford up from the under-21 set-up.
Kyle Walker, Gareth Southgate
Injured / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
Lewis has featured once for the senior squad in the past, making his debut against North Macedonia in November, while Trafford could be in line for his first ever appearance for the senior squad when England take on Belgium at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.
Trafford has generally struggled for form a club level in recent times, being dropped by Burnley in recent weeks, but has been a steady performance at underage level for England for a number of years.
Along with the absences of Maguire, Walker and Johnstone, Southgate will also not be able to call upon the services of star forwards Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka - both of whom missed the defeat to Brazil due to injury concerns.
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