Total blackout, Italy was nowhere to be seen
(Alessandro Bocci) The ambitious football that Spalletti aspires to for now it is absolute heritage from the Spain. There defeat goes beyond 1-0 son of Calafiori’s unfortunate own goal after just under an hour, but it is clear in terms of play, intensity, quality and opportunities. Italy only avoids humiliation due to Donnarumma’s exploits, he was up to the task on the Wembley night: tThere were decisive saves in the first half, as many in the second.
La Roja dominates from start to finishhas already won the group and for what he shows he will be a tough nut to crack for anyone, even for France and England considered the real favorites of the European Championship.
Italy it really isn’t there, quickly erased from the field and never able to enter the game, if not in the last secondsdriven by the force of desperation. A severe lessonto. The distance between the two realities is enormous. Spalletti’s plans clash with the harsh reality of the facts inside the Gelsenkirchen Arena.
The Azzurri were overwhelmed in the first half and were unable to recover even in the second. Luciano was curious to see where we are at. The result is disappointing. Italy lacks everything: the game, the personality, the quality to face challenges of this level. Overpowered in every area of the pitch. The road to glory is very long and uphill. The one towards the round of 16 linked to the match against Croatia, on Monday in Leipzig.
With a draw the Azzurri are sure of second place which would send us to Berlin against the second team in the German group, probably Switzerland. But nothing works. Liquid calcium ends up liquefied. A very bitter defeat.
The minute of silence for Gerhard Aigner, former UEFA secretary who passed away yesterday, anticipates the lightning start of the Spain who immediately takes control of the match. Rhythm, high pressing, quality dribbling, speed of execution. Rodri’s powerful direction, Pedri’s surgical movements, Fabian Ruiz’s incursions and if Yamal is a bit discontinuous, on the other lane Nico Williams is such a marvel that he gives poor Di Lorenzo a headache. Italy retreats, loses distance, quickly loses Spalletti’s commandments.
They always have the ball and at half-time the only good news is the result. The 0-0 was preserved by Donnarumma’s exploits: after ninety seconds on Pedri’s gore, after 24′ on Morata’s turn, then on Ruiz’s shot from outside almost into the top corner.
In Italy nothing works. Scamacca is isolated and static, Chiesa never attacks Cucurella nor does he help Di Lorenzo. Frattesi works a little harder, but the results are modest. Italy always plays inside their own half of the pitch. Too many mistakes, starting with Barella, the best with Albania.
Spalletti walks up and down in front of the bench like a desperate man, argues with de la Fuente and at half-time remains on the bench with his faithful Domenichini to study how to get up.
There are two moves, immediately after the break: Cristante for Jorginho and Cambiaso, placed on the right in front of Di Lorenzo, for Frattesi in a sort of 4-5-1 in an attempt to give strength to the team. It does not change anything. Italy remains in apnea, pushed backwards, outclassed by the pace and pressing of the furious Spaniards. Pedri misses an almost scored goal and after Calafiori’s unfortunate own goal, Donnarumma pulls off another save on Morata.
Italy stutters, misses their exits, suffers in every area of the pitch. Spalletti tries two more moves, Chiesa and Scamacca outside, unwatchable, Zaccagni and Retegui inside. The Argentine also has an opportunity but fails to deflect Cristante’s low cross. Then Spain again and Donnarumma again in a super version, two great saves from Perez. He closes in on the attack. But it’s just an illusion. Reality says that Spain is on another planet.
