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International Friendly: Italy 0-0 Germany: Player Ratings

Both teams featured several young players

European football’s most storied rivalry was renewed at the San Siro yesterday, as Italy played host to a rather depleted Germany team. The match, while not exactly a classic encounter, had its moments and kept viewers engaged through the length of the game as it finished in a 0-0 stalemate between the two powerhouses.

Gianluigi Buffon made a European record-equalling 167th appearance for the Azzurri. This game was also used as a testing ground for the new VAR system, which is still being improved upon by UEFA currently. 

Here are the player ratings from the game:


Italy

Gianluigi Buffon – 7/10 

The legendary Italian goalkeeper played his 167th international game like any other game of his life: solid, dependable and alert to danger. Buffon was replaced at half-time by Donnaruma.

Daniele Rugani – 8/10 

The 22-year-old Juventus academy graduate, playing only his third game for the national team, looked hardly out of place against the world champions. Rugani put in an exemplary shift to keep Muller and Kevin Volland in check.

Leonardo Bonucci – 7.5/10 

Alongside youngster Rugani, Bonucci managed to keep Thomas Muller chanceless for over 60 minutes of the game. It was a good day in the office for the 29-year-old, who is one of the world’s best central defenders today.

Alessio Romagnoli – 7/10 

Romagnoli put in an accomplished display for 45 minutes, before being replaced by Daniele Astori. Romagnoli’s showing will encourage manager Ventura to keep the faith in Italy’s new generation of defenders.

Davide Zappacosta – 7/10 

The right wing-back did a tidy job of keeping out Germany's forays from the left wing, chipping in with a couple of important blocks. Not a bad showing for the youngster.

Matteo Darmian – 6/10 

The Manchester United defender started on the left wing-back position had an average game yesterday, as his final ball in attack left much to be desired. 

Danielle de Rossi – 7.5/10 

The elder statesman of the Italian midfield put in a vintage display in midfield, helping to keep Germany’s unorthodox 6-man midfield in check on the night. de Rossi’s impact improved as the game wore on.

Marco Parolo – 8/10 

Parolo was the best midfielder on the pitch yesterday as he displayed boundless energy in closing down spaces for the German midfield. He came into his own in the second half.

Eder – 5/10 

Eder did not have the best of outings, as he drifted in and out of the game before being replaced by Bernardeschi for the last 20 minutes.

Andrea Belotti – 8/10 

Belotti was the liveliest attacker on the night, making things happen with his movement and turning and causing problems to the German backline. He had a shot come off the woodwork late on.

Ciro Immobile – 7/10 

Immobile put in a tidy shift, never running out of ideas or energy. He was unable to, however, capitalise on the one half-chance he got, shooting wide of the far post.

Substitutes

Davide Astori – 7/10 

Like Romagnoli, Astori remained untroubled and showed great composure during the second half.

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7/10 

The Milanese teenager looks set to command Italy’s penalty area in the years after Buffon’s retirement, and he proved this notion in the second half yesterday with another tidy outing in goal.

Federico Bernardeschi – Unrated

The 22-year-old winger came on in the 68th minute foe Eder.

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