Euro 2012: Spain v Italy

Sorry about the tardiness of the report. I am just returning to the rhythms of the week. The wife and I took our long awaited trip to Park City, Utah for that family wedding we have been looking forward to. 14 hour drives both ways, stopping for gas and for cheap diner food along Route 66, and no football. At least not the sort that you could control easily on the cross and slot in the top corner with. Was there even a Euros being held?

I did see the Spain v Italy match though. The papers criticized Del Bosque for his lineup, no Llorente or Torres or even Negredo and playing with David Silva in the false-9, Lionel Messi role. He says he wasn´t reacting to the rumors that Italy were going to go with a 3-5-2 and especially 3 center-backs and I believe him. You don´t attack a compacted center-midfield and three at the back with more of the same for yourself. You hit it with width, like maybe Cazorla and Navas serving up Llorente as a target man, but that´s not Del Bosque´s style and it´s not Spain´s either. You take advantage of what you have, some of the greatest mid-fielding talent to ever step foot on a pitch. You play to your strength.

Plus, is anyone really surprised that Spain had a tough time with Italy? To paraphrase Johann Cruyff, the Italians can´t beat us but we can certainly lose against them. People are always throwing that quote out, but without much clarification. The Italians were well drilled and tactically sound, but if Spain are on their game the Italians don´t have enough to impose themselves on the match. Spain were not on their game and Italy did what Italy always do. They deflate the ball and tilt the match in their favor. They attack weaknesses. It is no surprise that Di Natale carved up the Spain defense. Italy are good. They have great players like Cassano, Balotelli and especially the ageless ANdrea Pirlo. Buffon is still on of the great goalkeepers in the world. This is no fluke. Stop making excuses.