France brings Italy back to earth (3-1). But by now we are all crazy for Sinner

The Azzurri, coldly hit by a Rabiot header from a corner, got off to an uphill start straight away. With Thuram and Solo Muani as forwards, and Nkunku as a trequartista, and Kone irrepressible in the middle of the field, France never let us breathe, taking away space and isolating our forwards (Retegui and Barella).

AP

The Blues' second goal (a free kick by Digne that slammed first onto the crossbar and then onto Vicario's back) also came from a spot kick. Only at this point did Italy react, shortening the distance with Cambiaso on a precise cross by Dimarco. This too was an illusion, because in the second half France, again with a header by Rabiot on a Digne free-kick, cut us off for good. The somewhat late entry of Kean, Raspadori and Rovella gave us a jolt but not the necessary lucidity. Only Kean, with a swift deflection, came close to making it 3-2 in the second half, but Maignan countered with a great save.

"We were not very clean in midfield," commented a disappointed Spalletti. "When you take a goal immediately everything becomes more difficult."

Words to share, those of the coach, but which put the finger on a worrying sore spot: our defensive fragility on set pieces. In the last eight goals conceded, six have come from set pieces. Clearly there is a problem. And not only one of tactical deployment, but also of attention and concentration. If the opponents are strong in the head, the good rule is not to give them space. Keep on them. Don't let them breathe. The opposite of what the Azzurri did, all with their heads who knows where. Perhaps already at the next championship day. Unfortunately, we had deluded ourselves: there is still a long way to go to become great again.

It was a Sunday like that, very November, with no championship and controversy over Var, but also full of events that made it more special than usual. In the morning the MotoGP World Championship came to a close with Bagnaia winning the final round in Barcelona but having to cede the title to Jorge Martin, third behind Pecco and Marc Marquez. The Spaniard, 26, who will switch from Ducati to Aprilia next year, is crowned world champion thanks to the sizeable lead he has gained so far by skilfully exploiting Saturday's sprint races. The strange thing, but one ends up being accused of obstinate anti-modernity, is that Bagnaia, despite having won 11 Grands Prix, leaves the sceptre to Martin who has only won three GPs.

But these are the rules, say the sports lawyers, and so we have to say it's OK. However, we are left with a doubt: but should stupid rules be maintained for life anyway?

Sunday got heated when at 6pm in Turin Sinner took the court against Fritz in the final for the Apt Finals trophy beating him in two sets (6-4, 6-4). A Sinner-like cat-and-mouse victory, taking the break when it was time to close. A success that completes a stellar 2024 in which Jannik achieves a string of records, including being the first Italian to win the Atp Finals. And the first since 1986 to win them without losing a single set..

With Sinner, who had already beaten Fritz in the rounds, we are looking at a phenomenon we have yet to measure up to. Number one in tennis, despite being only 23 years old, the South Tyrolean has unleashed an enthusiasm that can only be compared to that aroused by Alberto Tomba when, in the eighties and nineties, he captivated millions of people in front of the screen: Tomba, known as the 'Bomba', liked his cheerful bravado that in a short time made the ski slopes repopulate thanks to his exploits. But Sinner is very different: more measured, more grown-up, with a hint of a smile like a good boy who doesn't let it go to his head. And who is liked precisely because he goes against the tide: in a world where everyone wants to appear, and be centre stage, Jannik does everything he can to downplay his exploits, which, on the contrary, are exceptional.

"I will try to improve myself..." is his mantra as the fans adore him regardless. "Thanks to everyone, it's special to win for the first time in Italy," he says simply. Once the Apt Finals were only known to the fans, now, after Sinner's victory, they will stay in Italy until 2030.

Among young and old, Jannik is depopulated. The orange wigs, the way he raises his fist when he scores, his always being nice even when he would have good reasons to tell everyone to go to hell. The major media, not just social media, have already voted him sportsman of the year.

Sinner is carving out more and more space: even the more traditional newspapers, which have always paid homage to the Football God, now give priority to the Italian tennis player. 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', between Nazionale and Sinner, chooses the South Tyrolean's matches as its opening. Evidently it gives more guarantees.... How much money will he win? For how many years will he be able to maintain these levels? Everything grows with King Midas Sinner. Adriano Panatta himself, his cantor on TV, is experiencing a second youth. "What more can I say about Jannik? We should call someone from another galaxy, because here on Earth no one can bother him...', Adriano's jigger comments ironically.

Even the unpleasant doping affair, still hanging over the tennis player, has not dented his popularity in the slightest. There are no doubts about his innocence, nor about the grey rules of the Wada, considered (rightly) an opaque bureaucratic body. In short, we are all crazy for this guy who, while celebrating a victory, is already thinking about the next challenge, the next tournament, what he has to do to improve himself.

Never a controversy, never a word out of place. A red-haired Martian who thinks ahead. Who thinks positive. Something we Italians haven't done for a long time. Is that why we like him so much?