Luis Enrique surprised at the beginning by getting an 'eleven' without Álvaro Morata. The Juventus striker had been a starter in all of Spain's matches in this European Championship, however in the 'semis' the Asturian coach preferred to reserve him from the start and place Dani Olmo as a false '9'.
The idea was to remove the reference to the central Italian, Chiellini and Bonucci, who have a harder time not having a clear brand assigned, and the truth is that it worked like a charm. Olmo moved between the lines and generated confusion among the veteran Italian central team.
Regarding the quarterfinal match, Luis Enrique made two more changes, Eric Garcia in the place of Pau Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal in that of the injured Pablo Sarabia.
Otherwise, all the same in the 4-3-3 of the Red, integrated by Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, Eric Garcia, Laporte, Jordi Alba; Koke, Sergio Busquets, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres.
Already in the second half, Luis Enrique moved the bench to revolutionize the game in Spain. Already below on the scoreboard, the coach introduced Morata by Ferran Torres.
Shortly after, Gerard, Rodri and Marcos Llorente took over from Oyarzabal, Koke and Azpilicueta, changes that achieved the desired effect, as Spain managed to draw.
In extra time, the scheme changed to a 4-2-3-1, with Morata as a reference, Olmo and Gerard on the wings and Peri as a hitch. Rodri stood next to Busquets in midfield.
On several occasions, Gerard left the band and was placed as a second reference, leaving the right lane for Llorente.
Thiago and Pau Torres were the last players to jump onto the field, entering through a completely broken Busquets and an Eric Garcia with leg cramps.