Italy's coach Roberto Mancini, left, and Poland's head coach Jerzy Brzeczek give instructions from the side line during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Poland and Italy at Energa stadium in Gdansk, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
The Associated Press
GDANSK, Poland (AP) - Italy was held to a 0-0 draw against Poland on Sunday but remained top of its UEFA Nations League group after the Netherlands drew by the same score against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The match was supposed to pit two of Europe's top goalscorers against each other in Robert Lewandowski and Ciro Immobile. However, Italy coach Roberto Mancini surprisingly left Immobile on the bench.
Poland almost scored late on. Italy defender Francesco Acerbi did well to deflect Grzegorz Krychowiak's effort narrowly past the left post.
Federico Chiesa had Italy's best chance early in the match, but he fired his close-range effort wide.
Italy is a point above the Netherlands and Poland in Group 1 of League A. It plays the Netherlands on Wednesday.
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Poland's Robert Lewandowski, right, runs with the ball past Italy's Jorginho during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Poland and Italy at Energa stadium in Gdansk, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
The Associated Press
Poland's Robert Lewandowski, left, gestures during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Poland and Italy at Energa stadium in Gdansk, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
The Associated Press
Poland's goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski catches the ball as Italy's Federico Chiesa reacts after a missed scoring opportunity during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Poland and Italy at Energa stadium in Gdansk, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
The Associated Press
Poland's Mateusz Klich, center, fights for the ball with Italy's Marco Verratti, left, and Italy's Francesco Acerbi during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Poland and Italy at Energa stadium in Gdansk, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
The Associated Press
Italy's Francesco Acerbi, second left, heads the ball past Poland's Robert Lewandowski during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Poland and Italy at Energa stadium in Gdansk, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
The Associated Press