Spain ready for last-four tussle laced with history
Spain’s cycle of dominance of European football began and ended with Italy, so it is fitting their hopes of a reconquest will see them face Roberto Mancini’s side in tomorrow night’s Euro 2020 semi-final.
This is a fixture laced with history, not least for coach Luis Enrique, who was left with a broken nose by opponent Mauro Tassotti which went unpunished in a 1994 World Cup quarter-final defeat and to this day sparks feelings of injustice in Spain.
Spaniards have happier memories of their Euro 2008 quarter-final, when they won on penalties after a goalless draw on their path to their first international trophy in 44 years. They met again in the Euro 2012 final in arguably Spain’s best display in that glorious four-year cycle, winning 4-0 in a performance so dominant captain Iker Casillas pleaded with the referee to blow his whistle and put Italy out of their misery.
The Italians would have their revenge four years later in the last 16 when they deservedly won 2-0 at the Stade de France to end Spain’s long period of continental hegemony. But that win did not spark the revival Italy hoped and a 3-0 defeat to Spain in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup led to them missing out on international football’s biggest event
for the first time since 1958.
It also provoked a deep identity crisis which led them to appoint Mancini.
Mancini has got the country falling back in love with the national team by overseeing some sparkling football and creating a real sense of unity demonstrated in the way they have celebrated every victory as if they had won a trophy.
Spain’s path to the semifinals has been less smooth, getting off to a croaky start with dull draws against Sweden and Poland, before coming to life with a 5-0 win over Slovakia and a 5-3 win against Croatia after extra time.
Their quarter-final success over Switzerland on penalties was far less exciting, but had the hallmarks of the shootout
win over Italy 13 years ago and showcased their team spirit.
“From day one we were confident we were a solid and united group and that we were good enough and we've proved that,” said forward Mikel Oyarzabal. “Italy are a top level team with players who keep performing at the highest level with their clubs but we're not any less than them.”