Italy coach Luciano Spalletti admits there may be ‘a gulf’ between the reigning European Champions and their Group B conquerors Spain.
Whereas a fifty fifth minute own-goal from Riccardo Califiori was the one factor to separate the edges, Spain spurned a glut of probabilities whereas the woodwork, and Gianluca Donnarumma got here to Italy’s rescue on quite a few events.
True ardour
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The consequence left Spain going by way of to the Spherical of 16 as group winners whereas Italy face the prospect of going out within the group stage ought to they lose to Croatia in Monday evening’s conflict in Leipzig.
Spalletti, overseeing his first event lower than a yr after succeeding Roberto Mancini, instructed uefa.com: “There was an excessive amount of of a gulf. They brought about us extra issues than the scoreline suggests, let’s not beat across the bush.”
He added: “We had been too frantic, notably taking part in the ball excessive of their defence. Once we gained the ball again, we struggled to maintain possession; after they gained the ball again, we struggled to get it again.
“We struggled with their counter-press however we additionally made some easy errors on some easy passes, and you may’t afford to try this.”
Spalletti admitted he would love his gamers to have the ability to carry out as Spain did, saying they’re the usual in fashionable soccer at current.
“Everybody would love to repeat Spain by way of the best way they play,” he stated. “They’ve been taking part in one of the best soccer for the longest time now.
“I must attempt to reach making my gamers conscious of how vital this form of match is, as a result of in case you sit very deep in opposition to groups like this, in the end it turns into very troublesome.
“We would have liked to maintain possession like now we have completed in our earlier matches. We would have liked to maintain the ball and attempt to play. That’s the one technique to play.”
The previous Napoli boss bemoaned his facet’s sluggish efficiency, including: “That’s the primary purpose this occurred. We would have liked to type issues out however the primary purpose we struggled is as a result of we had been sluggish.
“Spain had been a workforce tonight and we weren’t capable of be a workforce. They deserved to win, we had been by no means within the sport in addition to the ultimate 20 minutes.
“If a variety of gamers aren’t on the prime of their sport, it turns into harder. Because it was, we allowed Spain to utterly dominate proceedings, and to take action fairly comfortably.”
Spain qualify as Group B winners
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