Few like Aessandro del piero (Conegliano, 46 years old) to comment on a Spain-Italy. The legend of the azzurra and Juve analyzes for AS a clash from which a lot is expected.
Alex, let's start with a look back. You played the Spain-Italy in 2008 …
It's a memory that time sweetened, because I realized that we lost on penalties to a team that later made history. I fought with all my strength to play that Eurocup, it was one of the stimuli that led me to be capocannoniere in the previous year. If we had won that batch, perhaps, we would have reached the end, but we lost to a legendary Spain.
The fifth penalty was his.
I was always a specialist and it often happened to me that they asked me to throw the last one, yes. Much to my regret, it was not necessary to do so.
What do you expect from today's game?
The teams arrive with confidence after having started the Euro without being favorites. Italy showed a better game than La Roja and, although I don't think they are favorites, the values of the clash are very even.
Was a Azzurra so perfect?
No and above all I did not expect us to play against Belgium with the same personality and dominating as in the previous games, less with Austria. It is a beautiful and united team, in which each one knows what to do, without a star that stands out. Together they multiply their effort.
The great virtue and the possible defect of Italy …
Virtue is the game, the awareness of what they know and want to do, with courage. The defect is some limit when it comes to specifying the superiority that they almost always showed.
Is the great goal against Belgium the consecration of Insigne?
At the level of big parties, I think so. Lorenzo has already shown a lot of his courage, but continuity and presence at a decisive moment like that is the sign of a great step forward. Their contribution of quality and fantasy is decisive.
In the midfield would you continue betting on Barella, Jorginho and Verratti?
Yes, I think Mancini will do it like that, knowing that on the bench he has important alternatives such as Locatelli and Pessina. The games, today more than ever with six changes, are not won with 11 and the variety of our core is extraordinary.
Chiellini and Bonucci remain unsurpassed.
They are two excellent examples of longevity with high performance. Against Belgium they were also perfect emotionally guiding teammates who never played matches of this level.
How much will Spinazzola's loss weigh?
He has been the best left back of the Eurocup, the weapon of the azzurri. I am very sorry for him, he will be missed, but it is also true that, in these situations, extraordinary resources appear. This group has great strength and will continue to show it.
Donnarumma is showing all he is worth. What do you think of your goodbye to Milan?
He took responsibility for that choice and has no repercussions on the pitch. In my career I chose differently and it is difficult for me to put myself in his shoes, but you have to respect him. Furthermore, with the Azzurra there is only one color …
Let's talk about Spain. What did you think when you saw a list without Madridistas?
I was impressed, although I think it is a transitory situation, also for Madrid. The whites did not have many Spanish starters and Luis Enrique wanted to give a sign of change. Sooner or later it was inevitable
Morata was criticized a lot …
Like Italy, Spain also sometimes showed a lack of aim. Álvaro, however, earned the coach's confidence not only with his goals, which were already two, but also with the spaces he creates and his ability to seek depth and defend. Criticisms with the National Team come often, and in the end they end up turning into praise. I wish Álvaro to score a goal, but without qualifying (laughs).
Pedri with 18 years already seems a veteran.
His best virtue is personality, total control of his performance. It is a characteristic that you have now and will continue to have a decade from now. It can only get better: the future is yours.
What is your favorite on Luis Enrique's list?
There are many talents, but I still choose Busquets and his sense of the game.
What did you think of the game in Spain in these weeks?
I like it, in the group stage he collected less than he deserved. I also see them well physically, they touch the ball and they know how to verticalize effectively. I repeat, their only defect appears once they have reached the rival goal. With Switzerland he only won on penalties, despite having deserved to triumph.
And about this Euro, in general, what do you think?
There were very uncertain matches, the values were equal, perhaps, for an endless season, without pauses after the post-lockdown return. I saw a great Italy, totally renewed, I was surprised that no team from the group of death came forward and the presence of the emotional element, at the level of the group and technical bodies. It is the Eurocup of the teams, more than of the proper names.
How do you explain the elimination of France?
You can not always win. They had the best team by far, but they never convinced in this tournament. After their successes, there was a moment of confusion and even some difficulty in group dynamics. However, Deschamps' men will be favorites again at the World Cup.
He is studying to be a coach. Will we see Mr. Del Piero?
I am studying to take advantage of an opportunity to extend my knowledge, something that I will not only need on that path. It is a possibility that I do not rule out, but not a decision.