Juventus stalwart Leonardo Bonucci saw red as Italy’s record 37-game unbeaten run was snapped by Spain, who advanced into the UEFA Nations League final following a 2-1 victory.
A Ferran Torres brace either side of Bonucci’s dismissal handed La Roja a huge advantage heading into the second half. A beleaguered Italy then defended admirably after the break and were handed a lifeline late on as substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini scored a late consolation.
The undermanned Azzurri were unable to pull off a thrilling late comeback, however, meaning Spain advanced into the Sunday’s UEFA Nations League final where they’ll face either Belgium or France.
Celebrations on the Spanish touchline from Luis Enrique and his staff depicted just how much it meant to the ‘visiting’ team. Enrique’s side somewhat avenged their heartbreaking semi-final penalty shootout defeat to Italy at Euro 2020.
Spain’s brilliance
The recent Euros semi-final between these two sides was a classic, and Wednesday night’s encounter started in similarly enthralling fashion. These are, arguably, the two best coached sides in international football, and their managers put on an exhibition in Milan.
Spain, in particular, were drilled like a dominant club side out of possession. Their man-orientation all but nullified Italy, who were reliant on false nine Federico Bernardeschi to withdraw from his role and create an overload in the build-up phase. However, there was only one sequence where the Azzurri were able to progress via the Juve man.
The manager’s established a healthy combination of La Furia and Tiki-Taka. Spain are incredible counter-pressers, while the technical supremacy remains. Thus, they often have total control over every match they play. Fati’s the required x-factor in the final third.
— James Cormack (@jamescormack_) October 6, 2021
Mancini’s men were often suffocated by the Spanish press, while Enrique’s superbly drilled counter-press allowed La Roja to sustain pressure against an overwhelmed Azzurri backline. Even the masterful Marco Verratti was taken aback by the ferocity of the opposition.
So, with Spain in total control as a result of their counter-press and vintage technical supremacy, their opening goal was a deserved one. They took advantage of Italy’s disoriented defensive structure down the right to find Mikel Oyarzabal, who crossed wickedly for Ferran Torres to finish smartly.
Bonucci’s dismissal
Noticing Italy’s issue down the right, Mancini removed Bernardeschi from his false nine role and thrust him over to that flank in a bid to support Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right-back.
The Azzurri improved after the goal and Lorenzo Insigne spurned a glorious chance to level things up. Bernardeschi also drew a fine save out of Unai Simon at the near post.
Italy’s improvement, though, was swiftly undermined by their captain. After being shown a yellow card for speaking out of turn, Bonucci leapt for a high-ball with the wily Sergio Busquets, who made the utmost of the Italian’s elbow. There was no malice, but enough for Sergey Karasev to show Il Capitano a second yellow card.
Spain almost immediately made their man advantage count as the Oyarzabal/Ferran combination proved deadly once more. The Manchester City man, this time, headed home from a delicate Oyarzabal cross just before half-time.
Mancini’s lack of outlets
The seemingly unbeatable Italians faced the hardest of tasks in the second period. Before they could even think about getting back into the game, they had to get the ball off Spain.
It was an almost impossible proposition, and La Roja would end with 75% possession. However, Italy’s lack of outlets at the start of the second half certainly didn’t help their cause. With Giorgio Chiellini replacing Bernardeschi and Chiesa being utilising as a de facto right wing-back, Italy’s 5-3-1 shape meant Insigne led the line on his own.
As we know, the Napoli man is hardly a willing runner and thus, Italy were reliant on Chiesa to surge from the defensive line or for Nicolo Barella to penetrate from midfield. Such instances were rare and the Azzurri found it even tougher to get up the pitch, let alone test Simon.
An outlet was introduced in the form of Moise Kean just before the hour, though, as Chiesa returned to a more advanced position. The switch paid dividends almost immediately with the Juventus star being found in behind by Di Lorenzo only for his effort to cannon off the post (Chiesa was slightly offside, mind).
Despite Mancini’s best efforts, Spain remained in total control and were coasting into Sunday’s final. That was, until, the persistence of Chiesa miraculously thrust Italy back into the contest late on. The 23-year-old pipped a soft Pau Torres to Yeremi Pino’s tame header leaving him through on goal with Simon. With Pellegrini in support, Chiesa unselfishly squared the ball to the Roma man for a tap-in.
The goal was a mere consolation, unfortunately, as Italy finally lost a game of football under Roberto Mancini.
What the Juventus players said post-match
Federico Chiesa was once again the shining light for the Azzurri and he said post-match that Bonucci’s sending off was harsh.
“For me the red card for Leo very severe,” Chiesa told Rai Sport (via @JuveFC). “In the international, a first yellow like that wasn’t appropriate. And then to the captain. It’s the first time I’ve seen two yellows in an international game that are too simple.
“We lost after so many games. We set a world record and in the end it was there. Now we don’t stop, we think about winning again and bringing home more trophies,” he added.
Giorgio Chiellini, who impressed after coming off the bench for the second half, refused to entertain a discussion over the sending off.
“The sending off? Let’s not talk about the referee, let’s think about what we could have done better. The fundamental step now is to think about November, beat Switzerland and qualify for the World Cup,” the veteran wisely articulated.
With Bonucci suspended for Sunday’s third-place play-off, he’ll return to Turin ahead of next weekend’s big Serie A clash against Roma.