Euro 2020: Spain plots reconquest against Italy in semifinal laced with history

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 quarterfinal defeat and to this day sparks feelings of injustice in Spain.

Published : Jul 05, 2021 20:08 IST , LONDON

Spain players at a training session ahead of its quarterfinal against Italy.
Spain players at a training session ahead of its quarterfinal against Italy.
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Spain players at a training session ahead of its quarterfinal against Italy.

Spain's cycle of dominance of European football began and ended with Italy so it is fitting its hopes of a reconquest will see it face Roberto Mancini's side, which is on its own path towards redemption, in Tuesday's Euro 2020 semifinal.

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 quarterfinal defeat and to this day sparks feelings of injustice in Spain.

Spaniards have happier memories of its Euro 2008 quarterfinal, when it prevailed on penalties after a goalless draw in its toughest game on its path to its 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 its misery.

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But the Italians would have its revenge four years later in the last 16 when a team fired up by Antonio Conte 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.

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It also provoked a deep identity crisis which led them to appoint Roberto 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 it has celebrated every victory as if it had won a trophy.

That sense of togetherness could be seen on the pitch as they defended like gladiators in their 2-1 win over Belgium in the quarter-finals and in their raucous tribute on the flight home to defender Leonardo Spinazzola, who tore his Achilles tendon and is out of the tournament.

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Italy manager Roberto 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.
 

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 quarterfinal success over Switzerland on penalties was far less exciting but had the hallmarks of the shootout win over Italy 13 years ago and showcased the team spirit players and Luis Enrique have talked up throughout the tournament.

"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 ahead of the Wembley semi-final.

"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."

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