It’s the second straight major tournament that Spain has failed to reach its previous heights.
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The landmark victory set up an epic Italy-Germany quarterfinal.
“This early knockout and the early exit from the 2014 World Cup is the epitaph of a glorious cycle of Del Bosque’s team”, El Mundo Deportivo wrote.
Since then, the Azzurri have swallowed an agonising defeat on penalties in the Euro 2008 semi-final and a 4-0 hammering in the final of the Euros, in Kiev, four years later. What is the new source of youth for Spain?
“I confess Spain were inferior – our players tried until the end and we had the chances to equalise but I agree Italy were better, (but) to say it was a thrashing I feel is excessive”, he responded to suggestions it had been a one-sided contest.
‘I’m a real animal out there, as you’ve heard from my players, ‘ smiled Conte.
Italy like to defend and strike on the counter, and Spain enjoy possession-based football where they expose openings before striking. And on both flanks, Conte allowed Alessandro Florenzi and Mattia De Sciglio to tear up and down – just so long as they also dropped back in defense to turn the Italian back three into a back five when Spain had the ball.
In fact, it might have closed completely when the two old rivals meet Saturday in a European Championship quarterfinal.
Italy went against all pre-match predictions and were very attacking in the early stages. “We must do what is best for Spanish football”.
It took Spain 20 minutes to get into the game and to string together some passes but a first attempt from Cesc Fabregas was blocked and Iniesta’s tame shot proved no problem for Gianluigi Buffon.
Del Bosque admitted his players were not forceful enough in the first half and started pushing forward and taking risks only when they had to but he denied his side were exhausted or lacked motivation.
For Conte, who has a notorious emphasis on the team ethic and industry over individuality, the way to achieve success is to mould the national team around the model of a club, where a well-drilled tactical system can stifle even the best opponents. We tried until the end, we were not exhausted. We had played two good games but the last-minute goal against Croatia hurt us.
De Gea was called upon once more to block from Eder when the Brazilian-born Inter Milan forward burst clear on goal with the chance to double Italy’s advantage.
“We are not favorites anymore”, Spain defender Gerard Pique said. “Some people are happy that some players have not played their best, but you can not always be in top form”.
‘They are a cut above the rest, ‘ said Conte.
“They did not play great football, but they are very strong and powerful and caused us danger”, he said.
Spain will now have to focus on qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation, although it’s unclear what the Spanish squad will look like after the elimination in France.
“I’m lost for words. Italy were the most effective side in the decisive moments of the match”.
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“Few words. We have to accept the disappointment”.
