Italy coach Luciano Spalletti saw his Italy side humbled by a dominant Spain at Euro 2024 this evening. Goalkeeper and captain Gigi Donnarumma’s astonishing performance ensured that Luis de la Fuente’s side did not embarrass their opponents on a tough night in Gelsenkirchen.
After the game, Spalletti spoke to the media and admitted the Azzurri had been well beaten.
“The difference was the freshness, they were much fresher than us. We slow to make decisions. The key to the problem is always the same: we were below what is needed to play at this level.”
He continued by stating that;
“They created problems due to their speed and choices, and it showed. In the second half we managed to be more intense and created situations that could have led to a draw, but they were much stronger than us and deservedly won.”
The Azzurri go into their final group game against Croatia, knowing they will need at least a point to ensure qualification to the knockout phase.
Spalletti is all to aware that his players now need to dust themselves down after a difficult evening in Gelsenkirchen where they were outclassed for much of the game.
Should the Azzurri manage to claim the runner-up spot in their section, they will play the second placed team from Group A in the Round of the last 16.
