Italy celebrates show of the “German”

Three days after his hat-trick for SC Freiburg, Vincenzo Grifo scored two goals for Italy.

Vincenzo Grifo is not only enchanting SC Freiburg, but now also European soccer champion Italy: just three days after his hat-trick within 16 minutes in the Bundesliga against Union Berlin, the German-Italian put the Azzurri 3-1 (2-1 ) in Tirana against Albania after a brace (25./64.). Italy’s gazettes were correspondingly enthusiastic.

“Albania-Italy becomes a Grifo show. Agile, talented and full of character: The ‘German’ shows that he has learned a lot in the Bundesliga,” commented the Gazzetta dello Sport. For a long time, the Bundesliga professional was hardly noticed in the country of the four-time world champion. Now that’s different.

“Grifo confirms what has long been known in the Bundesliga – namely that he is a high-gloss product. He is absolutely the best player in the game,” was the verdict of Corriere dello Sport on Grifo’s performance in Tirana.

“Italy, who did not qualify for the World Cup, are having fun with Grifo. His brace is the achievement of a champion in terms of coolness and accuracy,” wrote the Corriere della Sera.

Italy coach raves about Grifo: “Extraordinary player”

There was also praise for the Freiburg national coach Roberto Mancini: “I congratulate Grifo on the brace: he is an extraordinary player and he scored two wonderful goals.”

Mancini also tested young talent. Andrea Pinamonti came on as a substitute in added time and thus celebrated his debut in the national team. Pinamonti plays for Sassuolo and has scored three times this season. 16-year-old Simone Pafundi (Udinese Calcio) also makes his Azzurri debut. At 16 years, six months and two days, he is Italy’s youngest debutant in the last 100 years.