Morata and Dani Olmo missed in the penalty shootout in a match in which Spain were able to play well and come back from the Italian goal

The best Spain falls with honours against Italy

photo_camera PHOTO/AFP - Euro match between Italy and Spain

Spain have gone from strength to strength at Euro 2020. Luis Enrique had a plan. An author's team that included specific players for specific strategies. Spain's coaching staff formed a solid unit in a laboratory. No external agents to contaminate his project. That's why players like Ramos, Nacho, Aspas and Navas stayed at home. The coach needed docile profiles so that Llorente could play at full-back without complaining, Morata would not start in the semi-final against Italy or endure two games without Busquets and not suffer too much.

#Billings

It would be good that this penalty shoot-out defeat against Italy in the semi-finals of a European Championship does not serve to take its toll for 18 months on Luis Enrique. That's the time left until the World Cup in Qatar and, by the looks of it, these 24 players are going to be part of that expedition unless they play for their team and injuries respect them. Experience is measured in matches like the one they played against Italy and in tournaments with three extra-time periods and two penalty shoot-outs.

Partido de la Eurocopa entre Italia y España
#WithoutLoving

Morata was not in the starting line-up. Oyarzábal, Olmo and Ferrán Torres were the trident to attack Donnarumma's goal. Few mothers and even fewer youngsters know where these kids play. Because Spain does not engage with the fans. Between the freshness of many of the selected players and the harshness of Luis Enrique, there is no room for a little affection. All it takes is listening to the anthem and picking on Morata. The Juventus striker has a very difficult few weeks ahead of him. He, who always lives in torment, has to deal with another missed penalty. Because this kind of player regrets whenever he can. He won't be able to remember how he changed pace, made a wall, beat Chiellini and scored like Ronaldo Nazario in the equaliser. That doesn't count.

#WithoutDefence

Laporte, Torres and Eric Garcia don't add up to a good centre-back. In football you can have occasional mistakes and be a world star. But if you don't cover those mistakes with glory and unforgettable moments, you're nobody. In Chiesa's goal they all failed. The withdrawal was slow, and the defence almost got into the goal trying to defend the counter. Nobody knew there was second play and Chiesa cut inside the Spanish centre-back with quality to put the ball away from Unai Simón.

Partido de la Eurocopa entre Italia y España
#PlanB

Then Spain activated plan B. Luis Enrique moved the bench. Morata came on and threw Dani Olmo into the war against the Romans. The Madrilenian brought balls down from the sky, played to the flanks while Olmo was kicked around by strangers and locals alike. Italy became Italy. Tucked in behind and taking long balls. With the score in their favour they also signed penalties. It's in their DNA. Morata's goal made them very nervous and they made mistakes that Spain couldn't take advantage of due to the lack of a good 9 up top. 

#Rodri

La Roja dominated the extra time, tried and could have lost the game in a ball that Simon took out with his knee on the ground like a futsal goalkeeper. Thiago and Rodri contributed nothing to the game. Manchester City's Thiago didn't work on the ball-stealing duties and Liverpool's Rodri played too slowly or with passes too long for his exhausted team-mates.

#Morata

La Roja dominated the extra time, tried and could have lost the game in a ball that Simon took out with his knee on the ground like a futsal goalkeeper. Thiago and Rodri contributed nothing to the game. Manchester City's Thiago didn't work on the ball-stealing duties and Liverpool's Rodri played too slowly or with passes too long for his exhausted team-mates.

Partido de la Eurocopa entre Italia y España
#Resultadist

Luis Enrique has taken his idea to the ultimate consequences. He could have sold it better. Garnish his selection with 24 players instead of 26. Convince the undecided. But his bad manners are a handicap to his work. Because Spain is result-oriented and loyal to its teams. If their team wins, they win; but if they lose, they plant a 2 de Mayo on the coach, and even more viciously if he's a constantly sourpuss.

#CiaoRaffaella

The foundations for the next World Cup have been laid. On these foundations Luis Enrique will build the team that will fight to be world champions. Italy will fight to dominate Europe. It will be at Wembley and with the Azzurri in the stands. We have them and the 10,000 Spaniards to thank for adding colour to UEFA's clumsiness. Raffaella Carrá's music played during the warm-up in memory of a loyal fan of Italy and Juventus. It was a party with friends and without you. 

More in Sports