WARSAW, Poland — Italy will head into tomorrow’s European Championship final with one significant advantage over a Spain side that has dominated world football for the last four years.
It can score goals.
While Spain has tried to pass its opponents to death at Euro 2012, Italy has stuck to what’s almost a quaintly old-fashioned approach of making the net bulge with pinpoint headers and blistering shots. Mario Balotelli’s two goals against Germany in Thursday’s semifinals were superb examples of both.
“We had the determination to go and attack Germany right from the off,” Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. “We had the courage to play the ball in midfield. I have always been an advocate of this style of play because I am convinced that we have a lot of quality players.”
By contrast, Spain has found it increasingly difficult to score in open play as the tournament has progressed.
Its penalty shootout victory over Portugal in the semifinals after a 0-0 draw was far from the most entertaining match of the championship to date. Its 2-0 victory over France in the quarterfinals included a penalty and its 1-0 win over Croatia in Spain’s final group match needed an 88th minute winner from Jesus Navas.
That’s just two goals from open play in 300 minutes of football.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is well aware of his team’s predicament, due in part to opponents’ tendency to sit back and defend.
“There are two parts to football, the offensive and defensive aspects, and we’re sharper on the defensive end,” he said.
By contrast, Italy has respected a national tradition stretching back decades of getting better as a tournament continues. Its best game by far was the Azzurri’s 2-1 victory over hot favorite Germany in Warsaw and the margin of victory should really have been greater.