Luis de la Fuente has talked about hurting the opposition in various ways in the past. And we are finally seeing what he meant, at the biggest stage, against the toughest opponents. Against Croatia, Spain pounced on whatever gap they found between the defensive line. Playing a very direct game, they often lost the ball and were caught out on fast counterattacks and lateral crosses against the Croatian forwards. They might’ve kept less possession, but they still dominated the entire game. In the end, Croatia couldn’t even get a single goal back.
Now up against the defending champions, Italy, Spain played a high line which was almost impossible to get through. They kept on applying pressure, a slow buildup, and sometimes a quick switch, which often ended in either a whipped cross from the wings, with a player carrying the ball into the box, or with a stinging shot at goal from outside the box. By far the dominant side throughout the first half, all La Roja lacked was a goal. They came very close with Pedri’s header finding Donnaruma and Nico’s header going wide. It could have easily been 3-0 to Spain at half-time on any other day.
Not once did the momentum shift to the Italians. Spain kept on piling up the pressure even after the second half started. Their persistence finally paid off when a low whipped cross from Nico Williams took two deflections before nestling into the net thanks to the Italian centre-half Ricardo Calafiori’s knee.
While the scoreline might suggest this game was a close encounter, it would be far from the truth. Up until the 73rd minute Italy had only taken 2 shots, none of which were on target. They ended their tally with 1/4 shots on target at full-time. On the other hand, Spain took 20 shots out of which 9 were on target. If not for Donnaruma’s brilliant saves, the scoreline could’ve easily read 5-0 to Spain.
One final thing must be said about the Italian squad. While Spain was by far the best team on the pitch, Italy were totally absent. This isn’t the Italy that won the final in Wembley 4 years back. This is an Italian side that didn’t trouble the Spanish goalie up until the 73rd minute. A side that couldn’t produce a single-goal threat to the Spaniards. If Italy wants to survive further in this competition, they will have to turn up against Croatia on Tuesday.
La Roja: Una nueva era
This isn’t the Spain of the old. This Spain doesn’t have the abundant flair of their midfield maestros like Xavi and Iniesta and the inverted wingers like David Villa. The tiki-taka is still evident. The possession game still runs through their veins. But what makes this Spain team different is their ability to adapt to their opposition.
From the outside, Spain’s preferred starting lineup looks like the classic 4-3-3 formation with cliched profiles. And the simplistic beauty of this lineup coupled with their technical ability makes it the perfect recipe for a good team of individuals. To make this “good” team of individuals into a “great” football team is the job of the coach. And Luis de la Fuente has passed with flying colours. Assessing the qualities of each player, he has made sure that everyone knows their roles in the team.
Alvaro Morata engages with the opposing centre-backs giving space to Pedri and Fabian Ruiz to operate between the lines. Nico Williams and the 16-year-old Lamine Yamal provide an enormous threat on the flanks with their speed and skills. Rodri plays the Pivot role almost reminiscent of his predecessor, Busquets. And with the profiles of Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, and Cucurella, Spain plays positively in defence maintaining a near-perfect highline.
The only time they looked shaky was when 4 of the starters were taken off after the 70th minute. And they still managed to create 3 big chances while not conceding their lead.
Italy were simply outplayed by the brilliance of this Spanish side who have now qualified for the Round of 16 after their win against the defending champions. Not many had backed Spain in their predictions for Euro 24. Often stating the reason that “they haven’t played against quality opposition much.” With wins against Croatia and Italy, Spain has squashed those arguments firmly.
