At 3:00 AM on June 21st, the second round of Group B in the 2024 European Championship will see a clash of titans. Spain will face Italy at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. According to the latest FIFA rankings, Spain sits at eighth in the world and sixth in Europe. Italy occupies ninth place globally and seventh in Europe. From the ranking alone, this matchup promises to be a visually stunning spectacle.
Both teams emerged victorious in their opening matches. Spain effortlessly dismantled Croatia 3-0, while Italy, after falling behind, rallied to defeat Albania 2-1. After the first round, both teams have 3 points, but Spain sits atop Group B due to a superior goal difference, while Italy holds second place. Comparing the opponents in their opening matches, Croatia is demonstrably stronger than Albania. Spain’s clean sheet against Croatia showcased the “La Roja” team’s strength. Italy’s near upset against the “minnow” Albania serves as a wake-up call for the “Azzurri” and highlights the need to address their slow start. The winner of this match is likely to secure a place in the knockout stage.
Facing the “Checkered Army” Croatia, who reached the 2022 World Cup semifinals, Spain’s right and left wings, Williams and Yamal, unleashed their talents early, causing constant problems for the Croatian defense. Subsequently, Morata’s goal seemed inevitable, and two minutes later, Fabian, with an artistic flair, effortlessly dribbled past defenders before scoring. The smooth rhythm brought to mind Goya, the Spanish master of romanticism. Just before the end of the first half, Carvajal’s header gave Spain a comfortable 3-goal lead. Despite relinquishing control in the second half, the pressure on Simon’s goal remained minimal. Spain did not prioritize possession in this match, opting for a more flexible combination of wing play and central attacks that exposed the aging Croatian team. Clearly, they are shedding the TIKI-TAKA label and embracing a more modern style of play.
Italy’s first match seemed to be affected by a lack of seriousness. Only 22 seconds into the game, a defensive lapse allowed Bajrami to score the fastest goal of the tournament so far. Fortunately, they were not deterred by the early goal. Bastoni and Barella’s goals allowed Italy to turn the game around in the first half. However, the real issues arose in the second half, as Italy deliberately slowed the pace and lacked offensive ambition. Their final 45 minutes were a sleepy performance. To some extent, Italy achieved their objective in the most cost-effective way. The score was economical, the process was efficient. They secured 3 points while conserving player energy and muscular fatigue. However, the recognizable chain defense, a hallmark of Italian football, was less evident in this team. Albania’s counterattacks in the second half were genuinely threatening. Perhaps, against Spain, they will be forced to resurrect their traditional defensive tactics.
Statistics reveal that the two teams have clashed 40 times in various international tournaments, with Spain holding a slight edge, winning 15, drawing 13, and losing 12. In their last 5 encounters, Spain has remained unbeaten, boasting 3 wins and 2 draws, demonstrating a significant advantage. In the previous European Championship, the two teams met in the semifinals. After 120 minutes, they drew 1-1, and Italy eventually triumphed in the penalty shootout 4-2 to advance to the final. The last time Italy managed to settle a match in regular time was in the 2016 European Championship, nearly 8 years ago.
According to Spanish media reports, De la Fuente is likely to maintain the starting lineup from the first match. Indeed, the substitutes, Olmo and Oyarzabal, were unable to fully replace the impact of Pedri and Morata on the team. The gap between Torres and his club teammate Yamal is even more evident. Simon’s reliable performance between the sticks will probably keep Raya on the bench.
Similarly, Italian media suggests that Spalletti will also field the same starting 11 from the first game. If adjustments are needed, Cristante could potentially replace his club teammate Pellegrini. Barella’s position might be pushed further forward. However, Donnarumma’s situation is slightly worrisome. After the opening match, some rating websites gave him a score of 6.6, the lowest among the starters. Spalletti might give the Spurs goalkeeper Vicario a chance. Of course, making a change in such a crucial match, facing such a formidable opponent, requires tremendous courage.
The history between these two teams is filled with rivalry and animosity. In the 2012 European Championship, Spain demolished Italy 4-0 in the final, solidifying the “Golden Generation” of Spanish football. In the 2020 European Championship semifinals, Italy eliminated Spain on penalties, briefly resurrecting the “Azzurri” while silencing Spain for almost four years. This encounter, with old grievances and new grudges, represents another opportunity for settling the score.
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