Regardless of what this Tuesday means for Italy to face Luis Enrique's Spain at Wembley, in the semifinals of the Eurocup, a great challenge for the 'azzurri' will consist of supplying what Leonardo Spinazzola has contributed to the team in what we have been tournament, until the Achilles tendon broke on Friday in the quarterfinal match against Belgium (1-2 for the 'azzurri' against the team led by Roberto Martínez).
Operated this Monday in Turku (Finland), Spinazzola will be out for at least 6 months and his teammates want to give him “the final”, as Leonardo Bonucci said. “He has helped us get here,” added the Juventus defender on the Roma side.
Spinazzola has been one of the main destabilizing factors in the offensive game of the ‘azzurra’ due to his left wing. His speed and his quality of centering have been key for Italy. Emerson, before the Spanish team, his replacement and postponed at Chelsea, has technique and physical strength, but is less offensive. The Italian fans reflect that, although Emerson is not going through a bad time, he only played 2 Premier matches with Chelsea last season, 15 counting all competitions.
Emerson was already the one who relieved Spinazzola when he was injured last Friday against Belgium. In the Champions League final won by Chelsea against Manchester City (1-0) he entered in 79 'by Hakim Ziyech.
Emerson will be, except surprise, the only novelty of an Italy with a plethora of Donnarumma under the sticks and a rear that has only conceded 2 goals, with Chiellini and Bonucci as leaders. Di Lorenzo occupies the right side. The untouchable mean, Barella-Jorginho-Verratti. And in the attack together with Immobile and Insigne, Chiesa has taken ownership, due to its speed, efficiency and explosiveness. It is an Italy that turns into a nightmare for its rivals because of the way they press.