Sandro Tonali speaks out after setback | OneFootball

Sandro Tonali was back in Milan on Thursday night.

However, it wasn’t to fulfil the dreams and wishes of the Italian media and footballing public, with a return to Serie A and playing for an Italian club.

Instead, arguably Italy’s best player was playing for his national side at his old club’s stadium.

Sandro Tonali looking well at home as he was Italy’s best performer, scoring to put the home side in the lead and then creating some great chances for teammates that should have seen them two or three ahead by the break.

Instead it was only a one goal lead and Germany took advantage of Italy’s known weaknesses when defending set-pieces and crosses into the box. Two crosses, one from a set-piece, two headed goals, leading to a cruel defeat for the Newcastle United midfielder, who couldn’t have done much more in this Nations League play-off first leg.

The Italian media were universal in making Sandro Tonali top man (see comments/ratings below) on the night for Italy, showering him with praise.

Speaking after the defeat, Tonali was defiant despite the setback.

The Newcastle star stating that Italy could and should have had the match won by half-time but adding that the tie is only halfway through, with the second leg in Dortmund on Sunday.

Sandro Tonali saying that the players have to simply work harder, both on the training pitch and in matches, to try and defend better those crosses coming into their penalty area, whilst at the same time make more of their major strengths and score the goals the chances deserve.

Sandro Tonali talking to RAI Sport after Italy 1 Germany 2:

“It was a strange match.

“We played well, we tried to play it as simple as possible in the first half.

“Unfortunately, we really struggle on set plays and in the air.

“We have got to work.

“There is still everything to play for in the second leg and we must remain positive.

“We must know that it is not something we dealt with well [set-pieces, conceding headed goals from crosses], but at the same time, remember our strengths, roll our sleeves up, lift our heads and remember it is not over.

“There are another 90 minutes to play.

“We must do everything better, be more clinical and determined.

“If we had managed to get the second goal, it could have been a totally different game.

“This is football, we cannot let our heads drop now.”

The media across Italy were universal in their praise of Sandro Tonali and made him man of the match for the home side with the Italian top player rating, here are a couple of examples:

Football Italia site – Italy player ratings v Germany:

‘Sandro Tonali 7.5

Scored his second international goal after a quick counter-attack. Could have netted the second one from outside the box before the break, but his shot from the edge of the box was blocked. Inspired. A magical week.’

Cult of Calcio site – Italy player ratings v Germany:

‘Sandro Tonali – 7.5

The Newcastle Star had a fabulous outing on his San Siro return. Broke the deadlock with a well-taken shot and put Kean and Raspadori on with lovely flicks. Didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.’

The automated ratings site Whoscored also rated Sandro Tonali by far the best player for Italy, the only player on the pitch with a higher rating was Kimmich, who got assists for both of Germany’s goals:

Sandro Tonali and his international teammates face Germany away in the second leg of this Nations League play-off on Sunday.