Often when getting ready for international tournaments I get my hopes up and then I am often disappointed after the first game of the tournament, as usually a boring game kicks the tournament off and I can honestly say. This tournament has offered everything so far. Group B has not been an exception either.
Spain versus Croatia finished 3 – 0 to Spain. They showed they are taking this tournament seriously. Starting to get comfortable with the ball and pressing higher, using Lamine Yamal and Inaki Williams and their ability to get forward. Favouring the right side, Spain switched its tactics to countering Croatia every time they started to look comfortable in possession. Putting pressure on Gvardiol who seemed to struggle with the overloading from Yamal Pedri and Carvajal on the right. With Rodri acting as cover to them pushing up with Morata and Fabian Ruiz in the middle. It started to look like it was only a matter of time before goals started to go in.
In the 29th minute, Morata made a run through the centre from Fabian Ruiz’s ball and squeezed it past the goalkeeper. This was backed up further when Yamal played the ball to Pedri on the edge of the box who played short to Fabian Ruiz who dribbled through several challenges before placing it in the bottom right.
During the first half, it has to be said that Cucurella looked as solid as ever. Knowing his role, defending effectively and preventing play from progressing for Croatia who looked all but done in the first half. Just before the end of the first half, Spain produced a beautiful set-piece from the right-hand side. Yamal swung in a left-footed cross and landed on the edge of the 6-yard box for a well-timed run from Nacho who placed the ball past the keeper. Going into the second half with a very comfortable lead.
I was expecting the same from Spain during the second half, but they took their foot off the gas. It showed in the stats as well as the expected goals from the first half was 1.32 and was a complete contrast in the second half where they only managed 0.70 xG. But where Spain fell short, Croatia only grew, who started to make more chances with 9 shots in total and 3 being on target and creating 2 big chances but to no avail. Croatia just seemed to lack the end product that Spain had.
Stand-out performers from this fixture had to be Yamal and Fabian Ruiz. Who seemed to dictate the game from the start and decide when Spain was going to move forward. But the biggest blows happened in the second half when Alvaro Morata and Rodri both went off injured. I will also say that just the game Lee Dixon said that possession is not important and I have to disagree. I believe if Spain retained possession during the second half it could have prevented an injury or 2 and would not have highlighted Simon’s weaknesses in goal.
This brings us to the second game in the group between Italy and Albania. Which started exceptionally quickly with Albania pressing straight from a throw and winning possession high up the pitch. Nedim Bajrami took possession and beat Donnarumma at his near post. Albania showed clear intentions from the first whistle. Press and make the game as uncomfortable as possible for Italy from the first kick.
Italy took control of the game, managing to have 68% possession throughout the game and maintaining 92% pass accuracy as well. Showing a clear intent to keep the ball and play the match how they intend to play. They also wanted to make the most of set pieces. This happened in the 11th minute with a short corner and then swinging the ball to the back post for Bastoni to put it past the keeper. They doubled down on their lead in the 16th minute when a poor clearance landed on the edge of the box for Barella to come onto and hit first time, beating the keeper.
Italy went on to make 5 big chances throughout the game which in comparison, Albania managed to make 2. Showing a clear dominance in the game between the possession and set pieces. But also looking at the quality of the passes is an interesting area. Italy managed 58% long-ball accuracy and 47% cross-accuracy throughout the game. This is highlighted even more when Italy managed to have double the amount of touches in the Albanian half with 483 compared to Albania’s 217. I think with all of this in mind, it is going to be a tough group for Albania to get anything credible from.
Stand-out performers in this game have to be Barella, Bastoni Armando Broja. Although Broja did not get a credible result with his side, he did manage to win 100% of his aerial duels and press from the front. Putting Italy under pressure even when it seemed like a lost cause.
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