In the second round of Euro 2024 B Group, defending champions Italy suffered a 0-1 defeat to Spain, but the match dynamics showed Spanish dominance. Italy’s coach, Spalletti, acknowledged in his post-match press conference, “Spain played fantastic football, deserving the win.”
Indeed, a collective shift in Italian media sentiment occurred, with outlets like Il Corriere della Sera, La Gazzetta dello Sport, and Tuttosport praising Spain’s performance and criticizing Italy. La Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted Spain’s “flawless game plan, tactical execution, and fierce desire for victory,” stating that they dominated for nearly the entire 94 minutes, leaving Italy at a significant disadvantage. The article concluded that the match served as a harsh lesson for the Azzurri.
Il Corriere della Sera commented on Spain’s effortless triumph, stating, “They made light work of Italy, and at the final whistle, we lauded Deschamps’ leadership and the content on the pitch.” Meanwhile, Tuttosport echoed the sentiment, “A lesson was learned. A team on its way to greatness showcased exceptional play, but it wasn’t Italy, it was Spain.”
With two wins and no losses, Spain has secured their spot in the knockout stages, while Italy stands at one win and one loss, accumulating three points. In the final group stage match, Spain faces Albania, while Italy will battle Croatia for crucial points.