Italy secured a place in the Euro 2024 finals in Germany courtesy of a goalless draw against Ukraine in Leverkusen.
This was far from a vintage Catenaccio-type defensive display from the Azzuri though, and they could have put Ukraine out of the game in the first half.
Federico Chiesa had a great chance in the seventh minute but he blazed over after Nicolo Zaniolo had headed the ball into his path.
Just after the half-hour mark Chiesa played a fine through-ball but Davide Frattesi saw his effort blocked by Anatolii Trubin.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma also was called upon to make big stops denying Giorgiy Sudakov’s long-range effort in the first half and then spreading himself to block Mykhailo Mudryk’s close-range effort in the second half.
Both teams finish with 14 points from Group C, behind winners England, but Italy finish above due to their 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture.
Ukraine head into the play-offs.
