European champions Italy beat Hungary 2-1 to move top of Nations League Group A3 at Stadio Dino Manuzzi. For Italy Nicolo Barella in 30′ and Lorenzo Pellegrini in 45′ scored the goals while an own goal of Gianluca Mancini in 61′ helped Hungary to get one back.
Italy will next face England on Saturday, 11 June in a repeat of the Euro 2020 final last summer, which Roberto Mancini’s side won 3-2 on penalties after it had finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.
The match will be held at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux stadium with only a limited attendance after the Football Association was hit with sanctions following crowd trouble at the Euro 2020 final.
Meanwhile, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Belotti have been released from international duty, as the rejuvenation process continues in the Nations League against England and Hungary.
There are two more fixtures to be played before the season comes to a close, visiting England on Saturday June 11 and playing away to Germany on Tuesday June 14.
Roberto Mancini has used this tournament as a way of blooding new players and beginning the generational shift following the EURO 2020 triumph and then failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Several veterans have been released early and now it is the turn of Torino striker Belotti and Juventus defender Bonucci.
Picture Courtesy: UEFA Media
