What a football evening in Mönchengladbach: Germany beats the great Italy 5:2. In this country, the triumph is celebrated. But in Italy it triggers a great sadness. The reactions of the Italian press are corresponding.
“La Gazzetta dello Sport”: A nightmare night with the Germans. A total disaster. A humiliation. It’s the first time in history that Germany has beaten us in a competitive match. An Italy that wasn’t even there, tired, lethargic, making one mistake after another. Mancini had few and confused ideas. The Azzurri were at the mercy of the Germans.
“La Repubblica”: It was not only the first defeat against the Germans in a competitive game. It was also one of the biggest bankruptcies in the history of the national team. The ruthless 5:2 of the Germans brutally interrupted the catharsis of the renewal of our national team most painful season Missed the World Cup for the second time in a row And now this defeat.
“Il Corriere dello Sport”: Italy, a collection of mistakes. What a humiliation by Germany. And that after the embarrassing defeat against Argentina and the failure in the World Cup qualifier against Macedonia. We go into the summer break without knowing who we are and how big we really are.
“Tuttosport”: Germany crushed, Italy humiliated, sunk 5-2. It’s a momentous, painful defeat that we have to accept. It was practically a one-sided game that makes you think. Italy had a good first chance – then nothing more. It began Italy’s ordeal. Germany was master of the field. It just didn’t stop.
German press reviews:
“Express”: Mamma Mia, Hansi! What was that for a brilliant goal party? It’s done. Finally this crazy 1:1 series is over, the desired victory against a great football nation. After the doubts had recently grown so great, this evening was the perfect World Cup doping.
“t-online”: Of the initial optimism that Flick was able to spread after the long era of Jogi Löw, there has been little sign of it in recent weeks, so you shouldn’t be blinded by the performance on Tuesday evening. Because: That Germany only conceded two goals in the end was mainly due to a world-class performance by captain Manuel Neuer. Caution is still required so that the 2022 World Cup does not end like the 2018 World Cup: with a sporting disaster.
“n-tv”: The Germans ignited the rocket, with an announcement. The 5: 2 over Italy is a liberation, albeit of limited sporting value. Italy’s coach Roberto Mancini had helped twelve players to make their international debuts in the last few games, looking for fresh influence for the reconstruction after the failed World Cup qualification What had gone well in the first leg now went wrong: The Italians were also on the search for themselves and their own self-evidence to build opponents.
