• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Manchester Football

A website about football in Manchester

You are here: Home / International / Things we learned from Spain vs Italy

Things we learned from Spain vs Italy

June 10, 2012 by Paul Chan

The game itself ended 1-1, probably the right result in the end but entertainment was at a premium in what was a highly tactical game. Here are some points of note from the game:

Mario Balotelli does frustrated like few others. It was a performance that will have been familiar to City fans as the Italian striker spurned the few chances that came his way and got a booking for good measure. His best opportunity was earned early in the second half after he robbed Sergio Ramos and closed in on goal. Gerard Pique cut off the option of a square ball to Antonio Cassano but Balotelli was caught in two minds as he waited too long for Casillas to commit himself before Ramos got back to win the ball off him. He was immediately subbed and his replacement, Antonio di Natale, was much more ruthless in latching onto a Andrea Pirlo through ball and lifting it past Casillas to put Italy into a shock lead.

Spain played a 4-6-0 in the Barcelona style, but without Lionel Messi, who scored a hat trick in a friendly between Argentina and Brazil at the weekend, Spain looked entirely toothless. Cesc Fabregas was the nominal striker but, although he levelled matters soon after Di Natale put Italy in front, Spain will need to have a better plan B. David Silva showed his quality of passes during the game and provided the assist for Fabregas’ goal despite being substituted immediately afterwards.

Fernando Torres still isn’t the player he used to be. Having replaced Fabregas in the second half, he was tentative when presented with two gilt edged chances to put Spain ahead again. Spain had already put more pace into the side with the introduction of Jesus Navas, but they will need a marksman up front and are badly missing the Torres of four years ago.

Italy, in the face of superior opposition, opted to pack their defence and revert to an old fashioned sweeper system with Man City target Daniele de Rossi at the back rather than in his usual role as a midfielder. Giorgio Chiellini, also a City target, was an old fashioned defensive enforcer at the back for the Italians and it was easy to see how Roberto Mancini would like to add both of them to next season’s City squad.

Finally, and as a prelude to the England clash with France tomorrow, we see that sometimes a defensive tactic works (Denmark’s shock win over Holland), but other times it doesn’t (Portugal only came alive after Germany made the breakthrough) although all out attack is sometimes the best policy (Russia’s thrashing of an ageing Czech side).

Let’s hope that Roy Hodgson has organised England well and that the players respond against a resurgent France side.

Filed Under: International, Manchester City Tagged With: David Silva, Euro 2012, Italy, Spain

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Altrincham
  • Ashton United
  • Curzon Ashton
  • Europe
  • FA Cup
  • Hyde United
  • International
  • League Cup
  • Manchester City
  • Manchester City Women
  • Manchester United
  • Manchester United Women
  • Match Report
  • Melbourne City FC
  • Mossley
  • New York City FC
  • Non League
  • North West
  • Oldham Athletic
  • Premier League
  • Salford City
  • Stockport County
  • Stretford Paddock
  • UEFA Champions League
  • Uncategorized

Manchester Football

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

RSS Manchesterfootball Youtube

  • "All the clubs around us made huge investments, we didn't..." - Erik Ten Hag
    manchesterfootball
  • "Same old story Man Utd" - Marco Silva Press Conference following Man Utd 2, Fulham 1 - HD 1080p
    manchesterfootball
  • Old Trafford reacts to Bruno Fernandes winning goal at Old Trafford against Fulham HD 1080p
    manchesterfootball

RSS BBC Football News

  • Sunday's gossip: Kane, Ugarte, Mac Allister, Messi, Tete, Mount, Thuram, Havertz June 4, 2023
    Carlo Ancelotti tells Real Madrid he wants Harry Kane, Liverpool close in on midfielder, PSG eye Arsenal defender, plus more.
  • Ilkay Gundogan: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants midfielder to stay June 3, 2023
    Pep Guardiola says Ilkay Gundogan signing a new contract would perfectly round off a historic season for Manchester City.
  • Mason Mount: Manchester United optimistic about deal for Chelsea midfielder June 3, 2023
    Manchester United are growing increasingly optimistic about concluding a deal for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.
  • Luton Town could play first Premier League games away June 3, 2023
    Luton Town is making improvements to Kenilworth Road to comply with Premier League standards.

Search Manchester Football

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in