Espina (AS): “Dani Olmo as our Frattesi, Rodri as Busquets. Calafiori-Ramos? Calm down”

José Antonio Espina, Frattesi said in the press conference that Spain is ahead of Italy and that Rodri is the best midfielder in the world. Is that so?
“It may be pre-tactical, but I think he is completely right about Rodri. For me, for many people, he is the best defensive midfielder of the moment. He is Spain’s reference player, probably the best in his role. Against Croatia Spain has proven to be a very strong, very powerful team. While this Italy is not a great Italy, this is a classic of European football and as such is open to any outcome.”

Who is the Frattesi of Spain?
“Dani Olmo, without a doubt. Frattesi is less of a striker, Dani Olmo plays more as an attacking midfielder but in terms of characteristics he is the one who comes closest. Fabian Ruiz has different characteristics, Merino is more defensive and more of a game organiser.”

The best players of the two teams are two midfielders: Rodri on one side, Barella on the other
“But they are two completely different midfielders. Rodri is a point of reference in front of the defence, Barella is much more of a player box to box, he moves around the pitch more, he looks more like Xavi or Iniesta. Rodri is a midfielder like Busquets.”

Luis Enrique lined him up as a defender at the last European Championship
“Better now… He’s the best midfielder in the world, he was wasted in defence. Then for goodness’ sake, he also plays well in that role but better in the middle of the pitch.”

There has been a lot of talk about the fact that against Croatia, Spain, for the first time since 2008 in an official match, finished a match with less possession than their opponent
“That Spain that dominated in ball possession was a team that had Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets, but also Fabregas and David Silva: perhaps the five best midfielders at that time. The opponents with that midfield never touched the ball. Now the situation is different: Rodri is the best, it’s true, but the others are just good players, far from that level. Merino is a good player, but they are not the best in the world Spain has a couple of champions: Rodri, in fact, and also Carvajal. Then a player with a great future like Yamal and another very fast one like Nico Williams. That said, de la Fuente has not given up on Spain’s style : against Croatia they were ahead 3-0 and in the second half they limited themselves to the defensive phase, Frattesi is right. It is a lie to say that Spain plays in another way: they had dominated possession in 136 games and in 14 games per game. the current technical commissioner was the guide. Spain has sped up but hasn’t lost its style.”

Capello said that Calafiori reminds him of the first Sergio Ramos
“Physically there is a big difference, then one is right-footed and the other is left-footed. Sergio Ramos was impressive even as a full-back, very offensive. Calafiori has a great future, but talking about Sergio Ramos again… Well, that player was another thing”.

How is Italy better than Spain?
“That Italy is Italy. Its history, it has won the World Cup four times. Three years ago it won the European Championship with a team that is not as strong as this one: it is true that in that team there is they were Chiellini and Bonucci, but this one has more quality.”