Lisbon – Portugal won 1-0 over Italy in the UEFA Nations League Group 3 A League, at the Da Luz Stadium, Lisbon, Monday (09/10/2018) local time. Portugal’s winning goal was scored by Andre Silva.

Portugal started its inaugural match in the UEFA Nations League without the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo. The captain was not called to strengthen Selecao das Quinas on two international matches, September 2018.

Although without Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal is still too strong for Italy. Portugal’s front line trident is filled with young players, Bernardo Silva, Andre Silva, and Bruma.

Portugal’s winning goal was scored by Andre Silva after using Bruma’s pass in the 48th minute. The 22-year-old fired a left-footed shot into the goal of his former AC Milan counterpart Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Italy failed to reply to Portugal’s goal. Roberto Mancini’s men found it difficult to score even though they had many attacking players. 1-0 score lasted for Portugal until the match was over.

The result led Portugal to top the Group 3 league standings with three points from one match. The Italians dropped to the bottom because they lost on goal difference from Poland who both packed one point.

Player composition

Portugal: 1-Rui Patricio; 2-Joao Cancelo, 3-Pepe, 6-Ruben Dias, 19-Mario Rui; 20-Pizzi (8-Renato Sanches 74), 13-Ruben Neves, 14-William Carvalho (15-Sergio Oliveira 86); 11-Bernardo Silva, 9-Andre Silva, 7-Bruma (18-Gelson Martins 77)

Coach: Fernando Santos

Italy: 22-Gianluigi Donnarumma; 15-Manuel Lazzari, 13-Mattia Caldara, 6-Alessio Romagnoli, 4-Domenico Criscito (2-Emerson 74); 14-Federico Chiesa, 23-Bryan Cristante (9-Andrea Belotti 79), 5-Jorginho, 8-Giacomo Bonaventura; 7-Simone Zaza, 17-Ciro Immobile (11-Domenico Berardi 59)

Coach: Roberto Mancini

Referee: William Collum (Scotland)

Maurizio Courtois as Chelsea’s new coach explained the future of one of their players, Thibaut Courtois. The coach can’t confirm Courtois’s future at the club. He is also not sure whether Courtois will survive and keep playing at Stamford Bridge or not next season.

If we flashback a bit, Courtois has been widely reported to want to leave the club since last year. According to news circulating, Courtois is likely to return to Spain and join the Real Madrid club.

When confirmed about Courtois’s future at the club, Sarri explained that he still did not know what would be done.

“Currently he is still the Chelsea goalkeeper, but no one knows what will happen later,” Sarri told Sportsmole.

Sarri also explained that he still could not confirm whether Courtois would survive or not.

“If you ask about Courtois’s future at Chelsea, I still can’t confirm anything. It depends on the club’s decision whether to release it or not. ”

“To move, everything depends on the player. If you ask if I will use it next season, I will answer yes. But all back to the club. ”

Actually Courtois’s move to Madrid was very close, unfortunately, the offer of 35 million Pounds that Real Madrid posted was still considered too low so Chelsea decided to hold the player.

Courtois’ play contract will expire in 2019, if Real Madrid wants to be patient, they can get it for free if Chelsea fail to convince the player to keep playing at Stamford Bridge.