Five things we learned from Italy 1-1 Spain
Friday, March 25, 2016
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Aritz Aduriz and Federico Bernardeschi stake their claims, Spain have a new No1 and Italy's right flank impresses. Ben Gladwell on the talking points from Thursday's UEFA EURO 2012 final rematch.
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Italy on the right path
There was plenty of potency on Italy's right. In Matteo Darmian, Alessandro and Antonio Candreva, the flank featured three individuals with an innate propensity to attack all lined up behind one another. What may have seemed slightly risky turned out to be tactically astute, and the source of much of Italy's threat. Possibly one of Cesare Prandelli's biggest mistakes at the 2014 FIFA World Cup was to move Darmian from right to left – Conte is unlikely to repeat it.
Is Aritz Aduriz Spain's EURO striker?
Aduriz is 35 now, but 31 goals in 48 games for Athletic Club this season gave him a chance to show what he can do on the international stage – he took it as well as he is taking his chances at the moment. A predatory goal 20 minutes from time to cancel out Lorenzo Insigne's strike ensured his second cap was more memorable than his first, a 13-minute cameo against Lithuania in 2010. Vicente del Bosque took him off immediately – had he seen all he needed to see?
Spain's new No1
Most arrived at the Stadio Friuli expecting to watch two heralded goalkeeping veterans spar it out, only for Del Bosque to select David de Gea over Iker Casillas. The 25-year-old Manchester United man probably did enough to erase any lingering doubts over the identity of the holder's No1 this summer. De Gea almost single-handedly kept Italy at bay, and a second-half stop to keep out Insigne's lob drew chants of his name from the travelling fans. They appear to have elected their new No1; has Del Bosque?
Inconvenient timing
The game was played at a slow pace for two such exciting footballing nations, but coming at such an important juncture of the club season that is understandable. Spain in particular seemed to be taking things casually, perhaps mindful that many of them have European quarter-finals on the horizon (there are six Liga clubs across the two competitions). Italy unfortunately do not have that issue, and were certainly more eager. Any potential rematch in France this summer could be completely different.
Danger from the bench
These friendlies are often about giving players on the fringe of the squad a chance to stake their claim. Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi began the night in that grey area for Italy, but their impact as second-half substitutes means they can be quietly confident of a place on the plane to France. Fiorentina's Bernardeschi in particular stood out, playing a part in Insigne's opener and popping up all over the pitch in a flawless half-hour.