0-0 (penalties 4-2). Deserved win for the Spaniards against Italy that had an extremely negative attitude and clearly missed Pirlo on the midfield.
Spain had ball possession but didn't do enough with it, steroetype playing, very little activity on the wings and a defence that doesn't really look stable (with again a very unsecure Ramos, who apparently has difficulties to convince outside Spain).
This is not a team that is growing in the tournament. Will be interesting to see if they can deal a second time with Russia, who now will play with Arshavin. With most favourites out of the tournament, this seems a unique chance for Spain to lift another international trophy.
Puyol, Iniesta and Xavi started the game. After one hour Xavi and Iniesta were replaced by Cesc and Cazorla. Puyol was impressive at the back, very solid and agressive, like you saw when he got injured against Sweden, he's the defensive key player in this team. Xavi and Iniesta didn't really find the rhytm and were rightly taken off by Aragonés.
Read everything about Barcelona at the Euro 2008 here
The last quarter final and with all group winners eliminated so far plus their poor track record in the quarter finals of international tournaments over the last decades plus their poor track record against Italy over the last century, Spain cannot start this game with a relaxed feeling.
Puyol, Iniesta and Xavi will start the game. The winner of this game plays against Russia in the semi-finals.
Sunday 22 June 2008
Euro 2008: Spain-Italy (quarter final)
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4 comments:
Puyol was an absolute BEAST!!!! at the back.
Deserved win for Spain I felt. Had some dubious refereeing decisions go against them in the first half that should have led to a penalty opportunity or two. Refeering was horrible. It's becoming too much of a recurrent theme in this tournament which is sad considering the lovely, entertaining football we've seen. I just hope a refereeing decision doesn't ruin the rest of the tournament with the stakes so high.
Thank you, Football Jesus! The Italians played one of the most negative matches (now, others will say defensive discipline) I've seen in a while. Don't concede, let Buffon bail us out in the penalty phase. Iker Casillas really is the best keeper extant, admittedly helped by two uncertain shots from the Italians he faced.
The Spain/Russia match is going to be a corker, I think. Can't wait for that one. I'd say at least five goals.
I agree, Italy played so negatively, and the referee was a joke, validating their laughable "gamesmanship"; so happy they didn't get the reward for their style of play and poor showings; Cassano and Toni, where the hell where you? I admire defensive performances, but only in the context of attractive counter-attacking play, but they were happy with dragging the game down from the outset. I thought Guiza was a very disappointing sub and that Cesc put in a quality performance; sorry, Xavi, but you'd be on the bench after what I've seen of your displays. I think I'll always lament the letting go of the young Fàbregas.
Russia-Spain semi has me salivating already, though.
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