Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. We have just seen THE performance of the Euros. Amazing. I have been proven wrong. Not that I doubted Italy after what they did against Belgium, but I did not expect them to play at an even higher level and totally own Spain in every facet of the game.
I always thought that Spain, with their passing game would struggle against the more physical and defensively superior Italians. So as Spain tried to weave their passes through, Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonnucci were there to snuff things out and give their Spanish friend, Morata, a rough day by not giving him an inch.
What I did not anticipate was the bravery that Italy had from the whistle. They defended as a team and attacked as one. They weren't about to just be the defensive part in this encounter and sit back to soak up pressure. Conte encouraged a high pressing game and that ball to move forward with purpose and direction to expose a Spanish defence that really isn't all that great.
On a tactical level, this was perfection by Conte. The threat of Iniesta and Silva were shut down by a midfield that worked like dogs, not allowing them the time and space to pick their pass. The striking threat was shut down by the best defensive trio in the business, using every dirty trick in the book to not allow them any sort of sight on goal. If they did have one, they'd have to sweat blood for it.
It was how Italy attacked Spain that was the real killer. After seeing how Croatia gave them problems, Conte wanted to do the same. With De Rossi being the important nucleus in midfield, he was able to fire off balls to De Sciglio and Parolo to stretch Spain and keep driving balls into the box for Pelle and Eder to get pieces of.
The presence of Pelle with his size, strength and control caused Spain problems. They found it hard to mark him and prevent him from winning direct long balls. Then you had Eder who was the perfect compliment to him, feeding off the knockdowns and combinations and drive through the spaces that Spain left in their defence. You throw in Giacherrini who worked the wing well, but also knew when to cut inside, Spain just couldn't cope. If not for De Gea this would have been a landslide.
Well done to Conte, well done to Italy, and now they face Germany were many people will put them as favorites to go through. HH
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