Luis Enrique’s Spain avenged their EURO 2020 semi-final defeat against the Azzurri by beating them 2-1 in the same stage of the UEFA Nations League on Wednesday evening. Ferran Torres knocked in a brace before Lorenzo Pellegrini got one back, ending Italy’s 37-match unbeaten world record.
Speaking to RAI Sport after the game, Enrique was full of praise for the quality of football played out at the San Siro.
“Italy are so strong that they are always difficult opponents. I think it was one of the best matches of football that you can see at international level. We were able to press very well and it was almost the perfect performance for us,” he explained.
The Spanish coach further praised 17-year-old Barcelona attacking sensation Gavi.
He said: “See how good the kids are in Spain! It is not normal to see a player with this character, this confidence on his debut. He will be the future of the Spain squad and I think the present too.”
According to the Spanish coach, the teenager’s role model is a certain Paris Saint-Germain ace and that he had instructed him to follow his idol closely throughout the clash.
“Verratti is his idol! I told him to press Verratti from the first moment to the last. He loved it!” he said.
Spain will face either Belgium or France in the final of the competition on October 10.
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