Italy vs. Spain is a matchup that deserves to be remembered for more than a terrible away kit and a mishmash of squad players.
Unfortunately tonight’s match in Udine was exactly that, two half-hearted teams contesting a game that seemed more like a training exercise. If only this match had been played behind closed doors, as the first hour was extremely tedious to say the least and Spain’s pizza style strip only made the spectators hungry for something different.
Finally, Conte obliged as Lorenzo Insigne entered the fray and transformed the game completely. His pace and guile was exactly what the game needed as he fired the Azzurri into the lead. However Italy’s lead was only brief, Spain scrambled home an equaliser by virtue of some poor defending and lazy officiating. The result was 1-1 but this was an irrelevance, much like the fixture in general. All players despite being physically present in the game were mentally withdrawn from the action. Instead they were focused on their club duties and understandably so. During one of the most critical periods in the domestic football calendar it seems nonsensical for players to participate in a meaningless international friendly.
So what did we learn from the match?
The generational crossover the Italian squad is undergoing, as has often been the case prior to an Italy game, dictated the pre-match amble. Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon are approaching the end of their international careers; we all know that, although Jorginho and Gianluigi Donnarumma were handed 4 minutes between them to prove themselves as potential successors to the two aforementioned legends of the game. Until the introduction of Insigne, only Antonio Candreva seemed remotely interested in attacking the frail Spanish defence. And frail it was, it is clear to see that the Spanish are not the force they once were, meaning that Conte’s men mustn’t get too carried with the draw (a result that would have been a remarkable achievement 4 years ago, when Spain were much stronger).
However Conte’s tactics, which are considered negative even by the Italians, may just work in Italy’s favour come the EURO’s in ten weeks time. A strong defence will go a long way to winning the tournament in France and Conte is a mastermind when it comes to organising a backline.
Therefore the primary concern will be in the attacking third of the field. Insigne’s display was promising although the lack of striking talent within the Italian ranks will surely be a concern for Conte before he selects his final squad; Luca Toni Garziano Pelle is not. In fact, the days when the likes of Alessandro Del Piero and Christian Vieri were warming the Italian bench must seem like a fond but distant memory to the Azzurri faithful.
Both teams had notable absentees, so should they meet at the EURO’s we can expect a completely different game, thankfully. Although not too dissimilar, should Thiago Motta play he’ll probably be booked as he was tonight and Simone Zaza will predictably sport a pair of suspiciously sculpted eyebrows for the final twenty minutes of the game.
One thing is for sure; Sebastian Giovinco is definitely good enough to score goals for this Italian team. This match certainly succeeded in revealing what this current Italy side is lacking and that may just help Conte’s quest for European Championship glory.
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