El Shaarawy scores for Italy, But France come back to win

The Azzurri begin well in Parma. Balotelli hits the crossbar, then the Pharaoh buries an assist from Montolivo. But Frenchman Valbuena responds immediately with a beautiful goal. In the second half many subs and a winner from Gomis ends it at 1-2, despite a great chance for Giaccherini

Italy lost a friendly against France in Parma. It is becoming a habit that Prandelli would gladly choose to avoid; the Italian national team has lost the fifth friendly in a row. At the Stadio Tardini Valbuena and then Gomis responded to El Shaarawy’s opener to make it 1-2. And yet the evening’s experimental questions provided anything but negative results: Verratti showed personality and technique and AC Milan’s Pharaoh scored a goal. And in the first half Italy, still with balance before their 2nd-half flurry of substitutions, outplayed Les Bleus. Of course, there were defects: the full-backs were confused and the attack looked anything but cynical, although when Balotelli turned it on he was fearsome up top. But it wasn’t enough; the last match of 2012 ended without early fireworks for the New Year. The fuse was doused by a muscular and tough France, who were not as pretty as they often were in the recent past, but terribly effective, even without the charm.

BLOW FOR BLOW — Italy did more, since they were trying to play, by seeking Balotelli with probing passes and making use of their flank players. Deschamps’s French side showed little sparkle, more tonic water than champagne. Their large and powerful defensive midfielders are built like industrial-size refrigerators – more volume than quality – but have limited ideas compared to the flashes of Valbuena and Ribery, who showed some of his old form that fans remember so well. The first big chance for Italy was a glimpse into the future; a truly excellent Verratti found El Shaarawy (he doesn’t do too much, but does those few things very well) whose flick was blasted by Balotelli onto the crossbar. The entire sequence looked like something out of Playstation. On 35 minutes the Azzurri’s breakthrough arrived: Balotelli found Montolivo, who sent El Shaarawy in on goal with an inspired pass. The Pharaoh did well to cut to the centre from the left and nutmeg Lloris for his first international goal. But the French response was swift. And came courtesy of the tiny dynamo Valbuena, a tightrope walker of a playmaker. He left Barzagli in his wake down the left before curling a beautiful right-footer inside the far post that Sirigu could only admire flat-footed. It was 1-1. All within two minutes. This was the score that the teams took into halftime. Italy were better but needed more quality from the offensive thrusts of their full-backs. France were rather Italian; closing down and, when possible, counterattacking.

PRANDELLI’S CHANGES — In the second half France tried to utilise their physicality and step up the pace. After 5 minutes Prandelli changed the midfield: in went Pirlo, Florenzi (his debut) and Giaccherini.

FRANCE SCORE — Through a newly entered Gomis, as Deschamps made changes of his own. Menez, also subbed on, worked his way down the left and crossed to Evra, whose off-target shot became an assist for the striker; an easy tap-in that made it 2-1 for France. Sirigu was a bit passive, however, in his 6-yard box.

SUBSTITUTIONS GALORE — Almost as if it were a 5-a-side game – only once you come off here you stay off. Prandelli and Deschamps emptied their benches; after all, this weekend league action will return. At this point it was difficult to see ordered manoeuvring and cohesion. Giovinco and Diamanti also came on. The Atomic Ant nearly equalised with a blast from outside the box, but Lloris was up to the task – will his first Azzurri goal ever come? Luck wasn’t on Giaccherini’s side either, as his effort from inside the box smacked off the bar. Italy lost, but in the end, nothing was lost when considering what was seen. On the contrary, this young Italy side seems to have a future. A much luckier one than what we saw this evening, hopefully.