Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto earned his sixth senior cap for Italy in their 2-0 win over Hungary on Monday Night. Gnonto played 65 minutes in the Group A3 decider to help Italy claim all three points and earn a place in next summer’s last four.
The 18-year-old had a big hand in Italy’s opening goal as he pounced on a poor back pass from Adam Nagy. A 50/50 challenge with goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi allowed the ball to fall at the feet of Gnonto’s strike partner Giacomo Raspadori, who tapped into an empty net.
However, despite his contribution to the opener, the Italian media have claimed that Gnonto was not at his best against Hungary. They suggest he struggled to keep possession due to the compact structure of the opposition defence, and his only meaningful contribution came during the aforementioned opening goal.
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Here is a look at what some of the Italian press had to say on the performance of the young Leeds attacker.
TuttoMercatoWeb : “Gnonto 6.5 - A little messy, Mancini asks him not to give reference points to his opponents and actually does not give any, even if at times it is evanescent. He has merits on the goal that unlocks the game: he understands before the others that Nagy's back pass has the wrong laps.”
Corriere della Sera’s print edition (page 50): “Gnonto 6.5 - “It is not his ideal match, he struggles to protect the ball, but as soon as he can throw himself forward he terrifies Gulacsi, who knocks him out. And the match-breaking rebound.”
Gazzetta dello Sport print edition (page 6): “Gnonto 6 - “He deserved a much worse vote were it not for his stubbornness that we score: he attacks Nagy’s back pass and creates the right conditions for Raspadori. The rest? Bad with the ball and never in position.”
Corriere dello Sport print edition (page 7): “Gnonto 6 - Struggles to find the right position and measure in the passes. He loses too many balls, but fights with courage, getting into the action of the first Azzurri goal.”
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