The scoreline read 1-0, but the Spain vs. Italy Euro 2024 match in Gelsenkirchen was a far more lopsided affair than the numbers suggest. For a commanding 70 minutes, Spain delivered a footballing masterclass, thoroughly outplaying and outmaneuvering Italy across every inch of the pitch. Luis de la Fuente’s men showcased a brand of slick, rapid, and intricate football that Luciano Spalletti’s Italy could only dream of achieving on this particular night. The Azzurri were left chasing shadows, their tactical setup and individual performances falling drastically short against a vibrant Spanish side.
Following the match, the inevitable inquest into Spalletti’s strategy began. Many questioned his decision to field the same starting eleven that secured victory against Albania in their opening game. While judging in hindsight is easy, the midfield mismatch was apparent from the outset. Italy’s two-man midfield was consistently overrun and outmaneuvered by Spain’s dynamic trio. Davide Frattesi and Federico Chiesa, deployed in wide attacking roles, offered minimal defensive support, leaving Jorginho and Nicolo Barella exposed and overwhelmed in the center of the park. Fabian Ruiz, Pedri, and Rodri dictated the tempo and controlled possession, highlighting the tactical error in Italy’s setup. Perhaps introducing Bryan Cristante or Nicolo Fagioli from the start, to bolster the midfield, could have offered more resistance.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo endured a torrid evening against the electrifying Nico Williams. The Spanish winger was a constant menace, particularly in the first half, leaving Di Lorenzo struggling to cope with his pace and trickery. Williams tormented the Napoli captain repeatedly, creating chances and stretching the Italian defense. While Di Lorenzo marginally improved his containment of Williams in the second half, the first half performance was a clear indication of Spain’s dominance on the flanks. A substitution to offer Di Lorenzo respite might have been considered, but Spalletti opted to persevere with his captain.
Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal, while unfortunate, was a consequence of Spain’s relentless pressure. He was arguably one of Italy’s better performers on a difficult night, yet even his solid performance couldn’t prevent the inevitable. Spain’s goal had been threatening for a considerable period, and it was only through the exceptional goalkeeping of Gianluigi Donnarumma that the score remained respectable. In truth, a 5-0 victory for Spain would not have been an unfair reflection of their superiority.
Spalletti now faces a significant challenge with limited options to rectify Italy’s shortcomings. Despite his post-match insistence on maintaining Italy’s attacking style, implementing such a philosophy with the current squad appears problematic. Italy’s most glaring deficiency compared to Spain is pace. Only Federico Chiesa and Federico Dimarco possess notable speed, a crucial attribute in modern football. The majority of the Italian squad, while technically proficient, lack the dynamism to match teams like Spain. This lack of pace makes Italy predictable and easier to defend against.
Potential solutions for the upcoming match against Croatia could involve replacing Frattesi with Giacomo Raspadori. Raspadori offers freshness, technical quality, and greater mobility. Introducing Nicolo Fagioli could also be an option, especially considering Spalletti’s apparent dissatisfaction with Jorginho’s reluctance to demand possession against Spain.
However, Spalletti’s options are constrained by deeper issues within Italian football. The fact that only six of Italy’s starting XI against Spain played Champions League football last season is telling. The lack of exposure to top-level club football was evident in Italy’s struggles to cope with Spain’s high press and maintain possession.
Italy are still expected to overcome Croatia and secure second place in the group, largely due to Croatia’s own underwhelming performances in the tournament. Spalletti has a few days to analyze the Spain defeat and implement necessary changes. The stark contrast in quality displayed by Spain could serve as a valuable wake-up call for Italy, but only time will reveal the long-term impact of this humbling defeat.
Ultimately, the Spain Vs Italy Euro 2024 clash served as a definitive indicator of each team’s current standing in their respective rebuilding phases. Spain emphatically demonstrated their credentials as serious Euro 2024 contenders, while Italy were left with significant questions to answer about their ability to defend their title.
