GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has stated his crew are able to scuff up their Giorgio Armani fits after they tackle Spain on the Area AufSchalke on Thursday of their second recreation at Euro 2024.
Each international locations opened Group B with a win final weekend, with reigning champions Italy coming from behind to beat Albania and UEFA Nations League winners Spain easing previous Croatia.
Spalletti, 65, is making an attempt to implicate a enjoying fashion much like Spain’s with the Italian nationwide crew, however he insists his gamers can even be keen to dig in after they should.
“We’re wearing Giorgio Armani and Giorgio Armani is world well-known,” Spalletti stated within the pre-game information convention. “So, we go there with the identical swimsuit, try to be true to our id and play the identical means.
“However, in fact, we have to present the identical need as our opposition to check ourselves in opposition to top-of-the-line footballing philosophies in world soccer.
“As soon as we’re off the pitch, we’d like to ensure now we have no regrets. We have to try to play our personal recreation in our greatest garments, however we’re keen to scuff up our swimsuit if required.”
Italy’s match with Spain is without doubt one of the most anticipated matches of the group phases, pitching the holders in opposition to one in every of a number of pre-tournament favourites.
Spain gained when the 2 sides met final 12 months within the Nations League semifinal, nevertheless it was Italy who emerged victorious by way of penalties after they confronted one another within the final 4 of Euro 2020, performed in 2021.
“This recreation tomorrow might be a Euros or World Cup ultimate,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente advised a information convention in a while Wednesday. “It is a basic between two nationwide groups created to compete at this stage.”
Lots has modified since their final matchup, although, with each groups below new teaching regimes, though Spalletti prompt Italy nonetheless have work to do to meet up with Spain.
“Spain have completely every little thing,” he added. “On the subject of particular person qualities and the skillset as a crew. They all the time do issues in the identical means.
“I’m curious to see what occurs after they try to press with all 11 males, what we resolve to do and the way we reply to that. However, total, I do actually like their fashion.
“You attempt to pinch sure concepts and attempt to analyse sure issues. Spanish soccer is attacking in fashion. They’ve numerous gamers who press excessive.
“We should do job by way of discovering a free man as shortly as potential. If we do not have a free man, we’ll be compelled to make an extended cross to our ahead line.
“As for whether or not it is the very best model of soccer, there are a lot of international locations that play constructive, attacking soccer and Spain are a type of. We have to make progress earlier than we are able to play the identical model of soccer.”
De la Fuente responded by saying his crew would not get carried away by the reward from his Italian counterpart.
“Spalletti an excellent coach however reward will not weaken us,” he stated “I’ve all the time valued our gamers and know they do not allow us to down
One of many speaking factors of Spain’s 3-0 win over Croatia of their opening recreation was that they’d much less possession than their opposition in a aggressive recreation for the primary time because the Euro 2008 ultimate — a streak spanning 136 matches.
That’s partly as a result of La Roja play a barely extra direct fashion, with two wingers in Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, and Spalletti acknowledges the risk Luis de la Fuente’s facet now carry in transition.
“This Spain crew will get the ball ahead a bit faster, they’re little extra direct, nevertheless it relies on who performs because the centre ahead,” he added.
“There are three forwards who’ve completely different skillsets. [Alvaro] Morata is the very best at operating in behind. He is not lazy. He runs an excellent deal. By way of meters cowl and velocity, his numbers are unbelievable.
“The identical for Lamine Yamal. He will get the ball excessive up the pitch, they’ve two wingers who like one-v-one conditions. When now we have the ball, we should ensure that we’re in the appropriate place for a turnover as a result of they’re lethal if you happen to go away an excessive amount of area on the counter.”
Spain midfielder Fabián Ruiz, although, prompt the stylistic change was extra evolution than revolution.
“I believe the fashion is analogous,” he advised reporters. “Spain have gamers that prefer to maintain possession and have the ball.
“The crew is characterised by high quality gamers who need ball … however the coach desires us to be extra vertical as effectively now and to strive get within the opposition’s half faster.”
A win would assure both nation’s place within the knockout rounds, whereas a draw would additionally probably be sufficient for them each to progress from Group B.
Italy, who’ve a totally match squad to select from in opposition to Spain, shut the group section in opposition to Croatia on Monday, whereas Spain end in opposition to Albania on the identical day.
