Italy Progress, but Spain Should Be Proud

A packed Wembley stadium set the scene, after the year we had there was a certain level of excitement across the faces of both sides. No arrogance, but an essence of appreciation of the moment in which they found themselves. The semi-final for the Euros 2020. Chiellini and Busquets captaining the two, a phrase that has a time on these two, timeless gladiators. Spain, lined up without Morata, as Luis Enrique proved that he was appointed to make the calls at the business end of tournament football. With Oyarzabal leading the line, potentially as a false-nine. Once Italy bellowed out their wonderful anthem, the time for talking siezed.

It soon became apparent that the front three of Enrique was more fluid and Olmo took a central role- Oyarzabal on the right, Ferran on the left. In the first five minutes, Emerson showed his ability to fill the void of Spinazzola, a wonderful ball for an offside Barella- an early warning for the Spaniards. Italy started the brighter of the two, as Spain looked to impose themselves on the game. One early positive for Spain was their mix of experience, their main outlet Sergio Busquets, and youth. Pedri and Ferran linked frequently on the left. Patience soon became the key for Spain once the Azurri has settled.

Source: @sefutbol

The 12' minute saw a killer pass from Pedri split the defence, but Oyarzabal could not sort his feet out in time to have a one-on-one opportunity in front of him. Instead of dwelling, Spain quickly reverted to fast build-up play and putting the mistake behind them. Soon after, Ferran Torres made the most of an Italian error but failed to get his effort on target. The power shifted from Italy to Spain in what seemed an instant.

For the moments of slick play for Spain, Italy would remind the fans of their class. The standout moment being Verratti stealing the ball from Olmo, before slaloming through the midfield and winning a foul. With a touch of class from Italy, then came the disarray of the Spanish defence. Unai Simón had his blushes spared on the 20' minute as he rushed out to close down Emerson. Whilst in no-mans land, Italy shifted the ball well but could not take advantage on another Spanish defensive error seen in this tournament. On the contrast to the defence, Dani Olmo looked calm on the ball and had a clear desire to make things happen, his shot forced a sharp save from Donnarumma, down to his right. Spain's most bright outlet, along with Ferran Torres.

Source: @spherasport

In the passage that followed, both team shared possession. For Spain, Laporte showed his reliablity at the back when sweeping and pressing. He was key when intercepting dangerous through balls from Italy, as well as dealing with long balls and winning back possession. Alongside former team mate, Éric Garcia, he stood up and was counted. For Laporte's good work at the back, Spain were free to convert defence into attack. Before the end of the half, they rolled back time to their tiqui-taca-era, sparking a flowing move that Oyarzabal could do no more than skew over the bar. A finish which summed-up the Basque attacker's first half performance.

Olmo driving the attack, Ferran Torres winning fouls up the field. Pedri again playing ahead of his years. Emerson started well and enjoying the left, could've converted before the whistle. The break gave for a great reflection on a good showing of Spanish football. Pedri, the young star of Barcelona, completed all of his 31 passes in the first half. What a talent.

Source: @sefutbol

The second half started with another slight hiccup from a Simón clearance but did not do much in the way of leading to a direct chance. Soon into the second half, Busquets was booked for another one of his notorious attack-stopping challenges- one too many breaks in play for the German-referee's liking. The Barcelona man had a great chance to break the deadlock, a tidy lay-off from Oyarzabal, but he could not convert. Nor did Chiesa, in the passage that followed, as his driven effort was stopped by Simon. A second half that was poised for more great football. Another half that also suggested Olmo was ready to cause the Italian duo of Chiellini and Bonucci more problems with his pace and skill, as he occupied the centre well.

Yet, for the possession that Spain had, it was an Italian sucker-punch that made the first blow. A weak cross from Alba, collected by Donnarumma, sparked a quick counter on the hour mark. Immobile made a good run, which was cut out by Laporte- as he had done so often in the first half. The loose ball fell to Chiesa, who struck a low effort into the bottom corner. Italian joy made for Spanish frustration. Luis Enrique reacted by bringing on his man, Álvaro Morata, who came on for Ferran Torres. Game-on.

Source: @spherasport

Spain had the chance to get level under five minutes from going behind, but Oyarzabal could not get the all important touch on a clever ball from Atleti's Koke. Those chances added up- as Olmo had another opportunity but could not see his improvised shot test the Italian goal. Italy had clearly set themselves up to counter, once again camped into their own half. And counter they did. Chiesa at the heart of another attack, played a disguised pass to Berardi, but Unai Simon stood tall to deny the Sassuolo man. Oyarzabal and Koke departed soon after for Gerard Moreno and Rodri.

As the game entered the final 15 of normal time, Italy had an urr of impenetrable defiance. Especially with Morata lacking confidence to shoot on sight, allowing for the angle to disappear- along with Spanish hopes for a Remontada. Italy had a chance to finish off the game. A chance they should have taken. Ten minutes from time, Laporte to Morata, Morata to Olmo, Olmo back to Morata who slid it past Donnarumma, 1-1. Morata again stepping up for Spain. Who else was it going to be. Italian fans were visibility shaken and their players did little to stabalise the collapse in confidence. Mancini's team synonymous with coolness throughout the tournament, suddenly nervous.

Source: @spherasport

Source: @sefutbol

Luis Enrique, sensing the opportunity, replaced Azpilicueta for Marcos Llorente to add another attacking outlet from defence. With the game going into the three added minutes, there were no real opportunities between the two. Spain braced themselves for another extra time to overcome. A third successive match that required them to dig-deeper than they had done before. The prize of a place in the final at stake.

Both sides started the third-quarter in relatively conservative ways. Neither wanting to overcommit, neither wanting to take the initiative. All those except for Dani Olmo, of course, who won two free kicks. The latter that caused the whole of Italy to hold it's breath. The stop-start nature of the half was ideal for Italy, as they did well in limiting what Spain had done so well in the first and second half- play on the front foot. Despite being persistent in the attack, Italy held strong and they entered the final quarter 1-1.

Source: @sefutbol

Busquets, who had already been cautioned, was replaced for Liverpool's Thiago, as Spain looked to snatch a winner before a shootout was needed. Morata led the high-intensity start for Spain, chasing down Donnarumma from the get-go. Man of the match contender, Dani Olmo, added Locatelli to his list of players he'd drawn a foul from in the match- too good. Italy, through the newly-introduced Bernardeschi, had a good attacking opportunity that was sniffed out by Laporte who was in the right place once again. That was before a slip from Alba gave Berardi a sight on goal, which was blocked well. Later in the quarter, Belotti had a chance to slip in Berardi but Spain's latest sub, Pau Torres, got his toe on the ball at the all important moment. Italy looked to have seen out the Spanish threat, relying on penalities to them to the final. As good has Italy have been in the tournament, it was a shame to see Mancini's side play for penalities. A credit to Luis Enrique's Spain team.

Source: @sefutbol

Could Unai Simón pull it out of the bag again? Or was it to be Donnarumma to grab the headlines? Italy won the toss. Simón saved the first from Locatelli. After a great game, Olmo lost composure for a split second and skied his effort. 0-0 after the first round. Belotti scored his and Gerard Moreno just scored his, 1-1. Bonucci, leader of men, stepped up and placed his effort to the right of the net. Easy. Thiago was as cool as you like to roll his in, 2-2. Next up came Bernardeschi, top right. Advantage Italy. Morata, who got the equaliser, missed well. 3-2 Italy. Jorginho stepped up, usually so calm, hop, skipped and tapped Italy into the final.

Source: goal.com

Spain can hold their heads high. With bright futures guaranteed for Pedri, Olmo, Ferran Torres and many more. Luis Enrique can be proud of their effort in a tournament not many expected to get to the semis. Right now, it will be heartbreak. But they will soon be back.