Tonali: ‘Italy enjoying our football now’ despite dismissal | OneFootball

Sandro Tonali insists Italy are ‘enjoying our football’ again, even if the red card inevitably changed the scenario in a 2-2 draw with Belgium. ‘It’s the approach we like the most.’

The Nazionale had got off to the ideal start at the Stadio Olimpico, taking the lead after 61 seconds with Andrea Cambiaso, who also had a hand in the second goal from Mateo Retegui.

However, the game was transformed when Lorenzo Pellegrini saw red for a studs-up tackle on Arthur Theate’s ankle, allowing Belgium to get back into it with Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard.

Tonali enjoying new Italy approach

“It was a positive performance, the red card is part of the game and we have to accept it,” Tonali told RAI Sport.

“We proved that we can play good football and it was difficult to confirm the good work that had been seen in the first two games, as people expected a lot from us, but we were that team in the first 40 minutes.

“We have to accept that the game changed after the red card, especially as Belgium then immediately scored from that free kick, but for an hour we held out well against a tough opponent.”

Newcastle United midfielder Tonali insists that Luciano Spalletti’s change of tactics to 3-5-2 after the disappointing EURO 2024 campaign has restored more than just results.

“In the first 40 minutes, you could tell we were enjoying our football and that is something that was missing over the last year. It’s the approach we like the most.

“That turned into suffering when we were down to 10 men, but we remained solid and united to finish the game with heads held high.”

Italy are back in action on Monday evening against Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine.

They remain top of the Nations League group, albeit with only a one-point advantage now over France, still three clear of Belgium in third.