Arsenal defender William Saliba has rapidly established himself as a crucial player for both his club and the French national team, becoming a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defense since his debut in 2022. His impressive performances have earned him a regular spot with France, and during Euro 2024, his contributions were vital to the team’s success. Saliba’s outstanding displays throughout the tournament even earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament, underscoring his rising importance on the international stage.
However, Saliba encountered a significant test in France’s recent match against Italy, where the French side suffered a challenging defeat on home soil. France initially took the lead in the first minute thanks to a goal from Bradley Barcola, but Italy responded with an equalizer from Federico Dimarco around the 30-minute mark. Italy, bolstered by the return of midfielder Sandro Tonali, then pulled ahead early in the second half when Davide Frattesi scored just five minutes after the break. Giacomo Raspadori sealed the Italian victory with a third goal in the 74th minute.
Throughout the match, Saliba, along with many of his usually dependable French teammates, struggled to assert themselves effectively against Italy’s persistent offense. Although Saliba was not the weakest link in the defense, French media were critical of his performance. Several outlets highlighted his struggles in containing Italy’s attacks, particularly during the sequence leading to Italy’s third goal.
Eurosport rated Saliba’s performance at 4 out of 10, noting that while he appeared more composed than some of his teammates, his performance was still plagued by errors. The review acknowledged that Saliba managed to maintain his composure and often held the defensive line well, but also pointed out that his mistakes were costly. In particular, Eurosport questioned his role in the third goal, suggesting that Saliba had an opportunity to clear the danger but failed to do so, which overshadowed his overall contribution.
Similarly, Maxifoot gave Saliba a 4 out of 10, observing that despite his strong performances during Euro 2024, he was unable to replicate that form in this particular match. The publication noted that Saliba was solid in the first half, especially in duels against Italian forwards like Mateo Retegui and Lorenzo Pellegrini. However, his performance dipped after halftime, and he was notably caught out of position during Raspadori’s goal.
Footmercato was even harsher, assigning Saliba a rating of 3. They compared his struggles to those of fellow defender Ibrahima Konate, noting that both players seemed to misread their defensive responsibilities. Footmercato pointed out that although Saliba’s errors were less glaring than Konate’s, he nonetheless displayed less composure than during his standout performances in Euro 2024. They described the match as a tough outing for France’s central defenders, emphasizing Saliba’s difficulties in crucial duels and particularly his failure to effectively clear the ball during Italy’s third goal.
Despite this challenging performance against Italy, Saliba remains a pivotal figure for both Arsenal and the French national team. This match served as a reminder that even the best players can have off days, and Saliba will be eager to bounce back in upcoming games.