Spurs international watch: Productive night for Tottenham duo
By Tom Vinall
On Monday night, Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie’s Italy were in action at home to Israel in the nations league. For this one, Vicario was given a rare cap as manager Luciano Spalletti started him ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain. Udogie was named amongst the substitutes, with Federico Dimarco starting at left-wing back.
The Italians would score in the 41st and 54th minute to give themselves a 2-0 lead, before Vicario’s chances of a clean sheet were ruined with a goal for the visitors midway through the second half.
There would be a response, however, and just six minutes later, Italy scored again to restore their two goal lead.
Very shortly after, Udogie was introduced to replace Dimarco. Having only been on the pitch for seven minutes, he assisted Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Napoli to make it 4-1 and make absolutely sure that the three points would be staying in Italy.
With a third cap for Vicario, an assist for Udogie off the bench, and a win for Italy, barring a clean sheet it could not have been much more of a productive night for Spurs’ own here. A good night at the office all around.
This win keeps Italy top of their nations league group, with ten points from their four games, one point ahead of France in second place. Their six point gap over Belgium in third means Italy will have to lose both of their remaining games in November to not qualify for the quarter-finals in the new format.
Should Italy finish top of the group, they will play a runner-up from another group in the quarter-finals, over two legs and the second leg at home. If they finish second, they will play a winner from another group, over two legs and the second leg away from home. So whilst qualifying is the most important thing, there is for sure incentive to top the group.
Both players international break is now over and they will return to Spurs ahead of the weekends game against West Ham United