Player Ratings – Norway 3-0 Italy: Spalletti and the Azzurri sink

Mateo Retegui of Italy puts his hand on his head after a missed possibilità during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Belgium and Italy in Brussels, Belgium, 14 November 2024. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS

Italy’s journey in the World Cup qualifiers started in the worst possible way, with the Azzurri losing 3-0 in Norway and looking tragically similar to the team eliminated at the Euros last summer.

Donnarumma 6 – One save at the near post in the opening minutes. Couldn’t do much to avoid Norway’s goals.

Di Lorenzo 4 – The whole defensive department was disjointed, and Di Lorenzo made way too many wrong decisions. It must be pretty clear now that he may not be a good fit in a three-man defence.

Coppola 5 – Given the toughest possible debut against Haaland. The Verona defender won almost all duels, but was too focused on the Manchester City star when Norway scored the second, with Nusa finding too much space down the middle.

Bastoni 4 – Another nightmare night. Kept Sorloth in play for Norway’s first goal. He was on the pitch for Inter less than a week ago in the Coppa Campioni Final. Saw his teams concede eight times in the last two games. Surely can’t wait for the end of the season, but there’s still a Club World Cup to play with Inter.

Zappacosta 4.5 – He was never dangerous on the right flank and sometimes left the Azzurri exposed. (72′ Orsolini 5.5)

Barella 4.5 – Exhausted, like most Italian players.

Rovella 4 – Too weak defensively, good passing accuracy (95% via Sofascore), but all at a terribly slow tempo. (46′ Frattesi 5)

Tonali 4.5 – Not sure if he should have played as a playmaker or box-to-box midfielder. The Newcastle star looked confused, but surely wasn’t the only one.

Udogie 4.5 – Not a single accurate cross, wasn’t always quite sure on whether to attack or defend. (83′ Dimarco N/A)

Raspadori 4.5 – Tried to link up the play, but lacked quality and speed. (83′ Ricci N/A)

Retegui 4.5 – He always played with his back to the goal, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. (72′ Lucca N/A)

Coach: Spalletti 3 – The first shot on target was from Lucca at minute 92. An empty team. The Azzurri maintained possession, but only because the opponents allowed us to do so. Italy were slow with and without the ball, and most worryingly, they didn’t show any reaction. Too similar to the performance against Switzerland at the Euros.

Norway: Nyland 6; Ryerson 7, Ajer 7.5, Heggem 7 (71′ Ostigard 6.5), Moller Wolfe 7.5 (75′ Pedersen 6.5); Odegaard 8.5, Berge 7.5, Thorsby 7.5 (46′ Berg 7), Nusa 9 (75′ Bobb 6.5); Sorloth 8 (83′ Larsen N/A), Haaland 8. Coach: Solbakken 8.