Italy Spain training Spalletti. Cristante and Mancini?

Two days left until Italy-Spain. The challenge which could be worth, after just two matches, the lead in group B and access to the round of 16. Let’s see the moves being studied by the Italian coach Luciano Spalletti.

1. Fewer Garibaldians

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The turning point was in the round of 16 of Qatar 2022: prisoner of Luis Enrique’s obsession, Spain drowned in 1200 touches, 1000 passes, possession over 76%, one shot on target and zero goals, and Morocco went to penalties. It took De la Fuente a year and a half to finally break away from the past. Against Croatia, after 136 matches in “control”, Spain handed over the ball to their rivals inflicting a 3-0 on them with quick passes, verticalisations, through balls and attacks on the wing. If it is the new Spain, far from that of the common imagination, or just an extreme chapter on the path to renewal, Italy will explain it in a challenge that has always been played on imperceptible balances. We suffer their tiqui-taka, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that this pragmatism is better for us. We will have to make a strategic choice. Thinking of distorting yourself, closing yourself off, luring it to the limit and overturning the scenario with three in-depth passes – a plan in which Conte was a master – can be self-harm. But we can’t even think of repeating the dynamics of Italy-Albania: there was a team waiting and, perhaps, a little in awe. Spain “plays” their game, presses, suffocates you, ensnares you with an advanced maneuver. The rules of engagement will be new. We too will have to be new, perhaps less “Garibaldian”. Spain have a one-year advantage over us, and a draw could be worth three points. But let’s not go in looking for a draw or it’s over.

2. Left-handed anti-death

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We conceded a ball to Morata at Wembley and he slipped between Bonucci and Chiellini to equalize Chiesa’s goal. Morata is a very modern centre-forward, he is at his best as a striker across the pitch: in Juventus he has often been ideal on the left, more of an assist-man than a goalscorer, and in this Spain as a mover he can fit in well because he has a quick and lethal insertion. For this reason, it cannot be ruled out that Spalletti is thinking of a pure goalscorer like Mancini: the Spaniard is elegant, not a fighter, and the stopper’s breathing bothers him. Scamacca, on the other hand, loves fighting thanks to his physique: he could engage in a high-altitude duel with Le Normand in which, in addition to inventing passes that no one sees, he will have to look at the goal, then turn around first. With the shot he has from outside it would be a shame not to try. Or he will have to study schemes to be the one to receive the assist from Frattesi. The Retegui solution, alternatively, would be less imaginative but more essential.

3. Stretcher and braces on rodri

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The key to the Spanish game is Rodri, a symbol of City more than Haaland and De Bruyne. Omnipresent like Busquets, but without Xavi and Iniesta to serve, educated by the new rapid and vertical Guardiola, he is the number one in the role. Everything goes through Rodri, so inside the maneuver that it seems there are two of them. Barella, our top player, is the theoretical opposite player: we could thus witness one of the most fascinating technical-tactical clashes of the European Championship which will involve the other midfielders, Fabian and Jorginho: an ideal quadrilateral on which the fate of the match will depend. The first move is to cut off the play lines of De la Fuente’s point guard, isolate him, prevent him from making key passes, leaving him with short supports. Barella will have to tire under the pressure. The return of Frattesi, our third midfielder, will be needed, while the Spaniards will have to resort to Pedri, who however has less defensive aptitude. We risk a bit in Jorginho’s area, a master in possession but less so in obstruction, and we have seen how Fabian’s depth can be scary. The entry of Cristante in place of one of Pellegrini or Frattesi should not be ruled out, to provide more coverage. One fact is surprising. Spain’s touches were 602 and passes 457. Italy’s 941 and 812. Rodri, the one with the most balls, reached 70, Fabian 65, while Italy had four men above 100 (Di Lorenzo, Jorginho , Sticks and Stretcher). Beware of Spanish practicality therefore: one pass and they lift the world.

4. decisive right wing

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The right attacking flanks of Italy and Spain seem to be the key areas from which the goal originates. Italy starts with a fading 4-2-3-1, because on the first outing they set up with the 3-2-4-1 inevitably leaning to the right: Chiesa is a little taller than Dimarco. Similar situation, not the same, in Spain: the 4-2-3-1 looks more like a 4-2-4 in which Pedri and Morata, at the center of the attack, find themselves on a line further back than the wingers Yamal and Williams, to attract defenders and open gaps. What scenario can happen? Chiesa, finally returned to his natural habitat on the flank, starts dribbling to the right and forces Alba to stay low: here we have a theoretical advantage, because Nacho (or Laporte) cannot widen, already having Frattesi and Scamacca on the centre-right in their sights. From here we have to break through. On the other hand, the one who risks suffering is Dimarco. When Spain attacks on the right, they can end up inferior in the Carvajal-Yamal vice, because Bastoni and Calafiori (or Mancini) will have Pedri and Morata, and Barella will not be able to forget about Rodri. We need a more mobile Scamacca to attract the centre-backs and allow Pellegrini to help Dimarco, or Retegui inside to press.

5. key test today

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The impression is that Italy for Thursday evening’s match against Spain will be a little different from the one that defeated Albania (2-1) on their debut. Other needs, other dangers, other tactical confrontations. Yesterday, on the Hemberg pitch, the tactical work in progress began (with a quarter of an hour’s delay because coach Spalletti called back those who were already out for a tactical and motivational speech). It is clear to the teams lined up in training that the doubts of the Italian coach for the second match of the group may concern all sectors, starting with the defence, with the Bastoni and Calafiori duo who could also “jump out”. However, the twelve starters were lined up as follows: Meret; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Cristante, Jorginho; Chiesa, Frattesi, Pellegrini; Retegui. Plus Barella in the wild version, with the red brother, playing with two teams.

6. does Chrysante play?

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Against Broja, an isolated attacker and in a bad evening, Bastoni and Calafiori allowed themselves descents and incursions even as a duo. Idea not practicable with Spain. Mancini is in early warning as he played yesterday in a three-man team. It would be a precise indication if Italy had not fielded 12 men. Hypothesis? 1) Spalletti can go back to three central defenders: we defend perhaps with five, with Di Lorenzo and Dimarco on the sides, and one of Pellegrini or Frattesi must make room. 2) Everything as before, or almost, but Mancini takes Calafiori’s place for a line more suited to marking. The second doubt concerns the median. Among the “starters” also Cristante alongside Jorginho, but Barella is not discussed. What can be deduced is that, thinking of strengthening the midfield, the coach inserts the Roma player by removing one of Pellegrini and Frattesi. Finally the attack. At the start of the match the starting center forward was Retegui. It could be a tactical move, the search for a 9 who does more pressing. Crucial tests today, but indoors.