Dimarco: ‘Italy cannot keep conceding from dead ball situations’ | OneFootball

Federico Dimarco is worried by the fact Italy conceded their last six goals from set plays, warning they ‘cannot keep’ making the same mistakes.

Both teams had already guaranteed their place in the Nations League quarter-finals, which will be played in March, but this was a head-to-head for top seed status in the draw.

Even a defeat by one clear goal would’ve been enough for the Nazionale to win the group, but they were beaten 3-1 and fell behind on overall goal difference.

“We played very well and created many chances, but a defeat is a defeat. We know that we lost against a strong opponent that always played at the highest levels, so we will learn from this too,” Dimarco told RAI Sport.

“We got a little stretched out of shape in the first 30 minutes, but after Cambiaso’s goal for 2-1 we got reorganised and I think largely controlled the game from then on. It’s just a pity about that second Adrien Rabiot goal, these are the details that make the difference.”

Dimarco recognises Italy problem

Adrien Rabiot of France scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and France at San Siro on November 17, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The statistics leave little room for avoidance of doubt, because each of the last six goals conceded by the Azzurri – including all three this evening at San Siro in a 3-1 defeat to France – came from corners and free kicks.

“These are things we certainly need to improve, because a team like ours cannot keep conceding so many goals from set plays.”

Italy also seemed fairly ineffective in attack this evening, as Mateo Retegui rarely saw the ball and Nicolò Barella struggled to find his place in the new trequartista role.

“Their three midfielders were going man for man with ours, so we struggled to find the right through ball. We weren’t technically sharp enough with our passing either, it’s a pity,” added Dimarco.

Considering how Italy tumbled out of EURO 2024, the fact they qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals with a game to spare and were only beaten to top spot by France on goal difference does point towards progress.

“France are a strong team and after the Euros we started building a whole new era. There are many new players in the side and I think the overall balance of the Nations League is positive for Italy. We must carry on like this and learn from this defeat,” concluded Dimarco.