Italy proved no match for Spain in Thursday’s mouth-watering Euro 2024 Group B fixture as La Furia Roja picked up an all-important 1-0 win. Luis de la Fuente’s side utterly outclassed the reigning European champions in Gelsenkirchen to qualify for the knockout stages with a game to spare.
After delivering a convincing first-half performance against Albania last time out, Italy looked up the creek without a paddle against the Spaniards from the get-go. Luciano Spalletti’s men were lucky not to fall behind inside the opening ten minutes as the Iberian heavyweights wasted two glorious scoring chances.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made a spectacular save to thwart Pedri’s free header from point-blank before Nico Williams failed to hit the target from a couple of yards out. Italy continued to struggle as the game progressed, with only Donnarumma’s phenomenal performance between the sticks keeping them alive.
Despite the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper’s stunning stops, he was powerless against Riccardo Calafiori’s calamitous defensive reaction, which resulted in an own goal ten minutes into the second half. Spain’s lead failed to shake things up for Italy. Spalletti’s team couldn’t muster a single scoring opportunity for the rest of the game.
Italy finished the match without a shot on target and will have to offer a significant improvement against Croatia to secure progression into the round of 16. Without further ado, let’s look at our player ratings.
Italy (4-2-3-1)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 8
Had anyone else been in goal tonight, Italy would’ve probably conceded three or four as the former Serie A star delivered another sumptuous Euro performance.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 2
Italy had a rough game, but the Napoli captain performed below tonight’s low standards. Completely demolished by Williams on either side of halftime, he failed to improve against Ayoze Perez later on.
Alessandro Bastoni – 6.5
He dealt with Alvaro Morata with a relative ease. The Inter defender barely put his foot wrong at the back, but Spain’s high press ruled him out of the build-up play.
Riccardo Calafiori – 6
The in-demand Bologna center-back was unfortunate to score an own goal, though he was nearly spotless for the rest of the night.
Federico Dimarco – 2.5
Like his right-back counterpart, the Inter talisman had a nightmarish game, constantly outpaced and outmaneuvered by Lamine Yamal. Nowhere to be seen in attack!
Jorginho – 4
The veteran was part of the reason Italy couldn’t gain a foothold in the match. His slow reactions helped Spain assert firm control in the midfield, clipping the Italians’ wings.
Nicolo Barella – 5
Despite piecing together another energetic showing, the dynamic midfielder fluffed his lines in the front third several times when he should’ve done better.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 3
It’s hard to remember if he had any meaningful touch with the ball this evening.
Federico Chiesa – 2
He was supposed to be Italy’s driving force up top, yet nothing went his way as Marc Cucurella had his number all game.
Davide Frattesi – 4.5
Like Barella, he tried his best to offer some spark in the engine room with no end product.
Gianluca Scamacca – 1.5
Maybe it’s time for Spalletti to consider other options in attack. Back-to-back near-anonymous performances!
Substitutes
Bryan Cristante – 5
Andrea Cambiaso – 4
Mattia Zaccagni – 5.5
Mateo Retegui – 2.5
Giacomo Raspadori – N/A
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