Although it was a brilliant performance from Spain but the match itself was a real anti-climax of a one sided affair even while the whole world was looking for a lip smacking close contest. What struck Italy no one knows but possibly Spain's sudden change from their usual Tiki-taka trash to the attacking football caught the Azzurries on the wrong foot,literally. Perhaps the Spaniards learnt from the German mistakes. Pirlo was encircled. Cassano and Ballotelli incapacitated. Enough for the Spanish armada to sail through all guns blazing. Easily this was the best match Spain played in the Euro12.Passing was there alright but to purpose to score and not for the sake of passing. The entire Spanish passing column moved forward like a well oiled machinery and overran the Italian defence with ease. All the four Goals were scored in devastating forward run at a pace seen generally in Hockey field than in football. It was indeed attacking football for a change from La Roja.Diego Maradona in his column says 'Spain may be the best ever to play football ....could do a repeat of the WC win in 2014’.We will wait to see if that happens.
In a Final like the Euro 2012 it all boils down to strategy, tactics, team compositions and execution of all these put together. Spain had experienced the Italian game in their group league match, found that possession football is something two can play at and Italy are a good defensive side. in that league game Italy neutralised Xavi, Iniesta and Silva very effectively. Spain tightened up the midfield, attacked from the word go ( usually the goal scored first leads to victory more often than not)and did not hesitate to defend stoutly. the goals of Silva and Alba were resultants of this tactics. While Italians forgot their main strength is defending and crowding out attackers!!! they got carried away by their victory over Germany, whose defenders Hummel, Stuber, Boeteng et al are relatively inexperienced and could be easily beaten. But Alonso, Ramos, Busket et all are too tough and seasoned! Iker did make a couple of good saves, but any shot from outside the box has only 2% success as experinec has shown! also, Italians though good ball passers, did not exhibit the same control and intensity to retain possession. I have seen 10 men teams win after being a few goals down also. but Italians were well beaten yesterday evening by spain... Esapnia Ole Ole !!!!
