Italy has turned the form book upside down to earn a spirited 1–1 draw with World and European champions Spain in the opening Group C fixture of Euro 2012.
The result put an early dampener on Spanish aspirations to become the first international team in history to win three major tournaments in a row.
A point apiece for the two soccer giants means that Croatia has jumped to the top of the group following a 3–1 triumph over Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland. The Irish will argue that they did not get the rub of the green on the night, with Trapattoni complaining that Everton striker Nikica Jelavic was offside when he netted the second crucial goal for the Croats—not to mention a penalty shout being waved away after Robbie Keane was felled in the box—but the inescapable fact is that Croatia are simply a much superior side technically, while Slavan Bilic prevailed over Trapattoni in the tactical battle of wits. The Croats are many pundits’ pick for an outside bet to go all the way. It will be fascinating to see them cross swords with Spain and Italy who will be able to match them both in technical and tactical ability.
Absorbing Contest
But it was the clash between Spain and Italy, two of the genuine powerhouses of world football, that everyone was talking about. The Italians have had a nightmare build-up to this tournament with the domestic game plagued by scandal and the national team highly unimpressive in three lost warm-up friendly fixtures. There was even talk of Italy withdrawing from the competition altogether in the wake of the match-fixing allegations.
Notwithstanding his highly controversial season in the English Premier League, Manchester City’s mercurial Mario Balotelli was chosen to lead the line for the Italians who opted to play five men across the back, with Daniele De Rossi slotting in as a third central defender-cum-sweeper. Emanuele Giaccherini from title winning Juventus was given his international debut at the age of 27.
Spain was of course without their inspirational skipper Carlos Puyol and top scorer David Villa. Nonetheless, the amount of talent they have to choose from was evidenced by the presence of the two Chelsea Champions League heroes, Juan Mata and Fernando Torres, on the bench.
Perhaps surprisingly, it was Iker Casillas in the Spanish goal who had the first significant work to do. The Real Madrid skipper had to be at full stretch to palm away an Andrea Pirlo free kick after a quarter of an hour. As expected it was the defending champions which dominated possession for long periods, but Italy kept their shape and never looked in danger of being overrun. The short inter-passing of the Spaniards is always a delight to watch, but with De Rossi playing a blinder for Italy at the back, Spain’s attacks were breaking down before Gianluigi Buffon in the Italian goal could be troubled, and it was Casillas that continued to be the busier of the two keepers.
On 34 minutes the peerless Pirlo slid a typically incisive pass to Antonia Cassano who cut inside from the left and forced Casillas into a smart save. Then just prior to the halftime whistle, the Spanish keeper produced an excellent stop from a Thiago Motta header. Despite enjoying 58 percent of possession, Spain’s most threatening moment was when Andres Iniesta shot over the top after being picked out by Xavi on the edge of the box.
Next: Inspired Substitution
Inspired Substitution
The champions began more incisively after the break with Cesc Fabregas finally giving Buffon his first real test of the match at the 50 minute mark. Mario Balotelli had wasted an opportunity and gone into the book, so even though the game was not yet an hour old, Italian coach Cesare Prandelli decided to bring him off in favor of 34 year-old Antonio Di Natale. Three minutes later the returning veteran was put through by that man Pirlo and slotted the ball past Casillas as cool as you like to put the Azzurri ahead. It was an inspired substitution.
It was the wake-up call that Vicente del Bosque’s side needed and on 64 minutes they finally wove a pretty pattern with an end product. David Silva set up Cesc Fabregas and the former Arsenal favorite found the back of the net giving Buffon no chance.
As Spain looked to push on for a victory Fabregas made way for Fernando Torres, only for the Chelsea striker to squander a brace of opportunities he would surely have made count in happier times. Di Natale had one more chance to snatch the points for Italy but volleyed wide, so it ended all square.
This was a match that certainly did not disappoint. The Italians gave a surprisingly good account of themselves and should be given credit for managing to put all the off-field troubles and recent poor form out of their minds and play up to their undoubted potential. Notwithstanding Spain’s wealth of talent, they are a less complete side without Puyol and Villa. The latter’s goals will especially be missed unless Torres can somehow return to his old self and deliver the goods in that department.
There is plenty of football yet to be played in this group. Croatia will provide a stiff test for both Italy and Spain, and if the Irish look more to their traditional fighting spirit rather than Trapattoni’s coaching manual, they could yet spring a surprise or two.
