Italy vs Spain Euro 2020 Semi-Final: In-Depth Tactical Analysis
In a match filled with high drama and intensity, Italy and Spain could not be separated after extra time, leaving penalties to determine who would progress to the final. The Italians triumphed in the shootout after a 1-1 draw, extending their unbeaten streak to 33 matches. This article delivers a comprehensive tactical breakdown of this thrilling fixture.
Italy’s Tactical Approach and Formation
Italy maintained their preferred 4-3-3 structure, fielding Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, with a back four of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, and Emerson. The midfield trio featured Nicolo Barella, Jorginho, and Marco Verratti. Up front, Federico Chiesa started on the right, Ciro Immobile led the line, and Lorenzo Insigne occupied the left wing.
Without key left-back Leonardo Spinazzola due to injury, Emerson Palmieri filled in and played a slightly more defensive role. Federico Chiesa, chosen over Domenico Berardi, provided energy on the right flank and scored Italy’s only goal. In the second half, Italy adjusted their setup to be more conservative defensively, at times morphing between a 4-2-3-1 and a compact 4-5-1 when out of possession, before returning to their base shape when attacking.
Italy in Possession: Quick Transitions and Wing Play
Italy exploited width through Emerson and Chiesa, regularly using fast transitions and quick, incisive passing to bypass Spain’s defensive lines. Their signature attacking pattern began with wide play, transitioning inward to find central options. The right flank was particularly dangerous, with Chiesa and Barella combining to threaten Spain’s defense.
Although Ciro Immobile served as the central striker, his involvement was often deeper, facilitating buildup play rather than finishing. After his substitution, Insigne often slotted into a ‘false nine’ role, further emphasizing positional fluidity.
Key points in their attacking play included:
– Utilizing switches from Chiellini (left center-back) directly to the right winger, Chiesa, to stretch Spain’s shape.
– Betting on the speed of their forwards to exploit Spain’s high defensive line with well-timed long balls.
– Capitalizing on moments when Berardi cut inside from the right, creating shooting opportunities.
While Immobile struggled to find goal-scoring chances, his movement created space and shifted defenders, influencing Italy’s offensive dynamics.
Italy’s Defensive Organization and Adaptation
Defensively, Italy displayed flexibility. During the first half, they alternated between a 3-5-2 and their standard 4-3-3, with Emerson pushing forward and Chiesa tracking back diligently to support Di Lorenzo. Chiesa’s high work rate was a tactical asset against Spain’s possession-heavy game.
As the match progressed, Italy grew increasingly cautious, shifting to a 4-5-1 when defending deep. Substitutions further solidified their rear guard, with Di Lorenzo moving to the left after Emerson was withdrawn. In midfield, Barella or, later, Matteo Pessina, were tasked with restricting Sergio Busquets, though at times this man-marking opened gaps for Spain’s midfielders, especially Dani Olmo and Pedri, to exploit.
Despite intermittent vulnerability—most notably during Spain’s equalizer—Italy’s back line, anchored by Bonucci and Chiellini, was organized and alert. Donnarumma produced crucial saves, and Jorginho’s positional awareness yielded multiple interceptions and challenges, although the team did show signs of fatigue in extra time.
Spain’s Tactical Setup and Formation
Spain mirrored Italy’s 4-3-3 shape. Their lineup featured Unai Simón in goal, with a back four of César Azpilicueta, Eric García, Aymeric Laporte, and Jordi Alba. The midfield comprised Koke, Sergio Busquets, and Pedri, while Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres formed a fluid attacking trio.
Dani Olmo’s deployment as a roaming false nine added an unpredictable element to Spain’s attack, as he frequently dropped deep to initiate play or drifted wide to overload the flanks. Meanwhile, Busquets sometimes slotted into defense to aid ball circulation and provide extra cover.
Spain in Possession: Control Without Penetration
Spain dominated possession, seeing around 70% of the ball through well-rehearsed buildup patterns. They typically built play in a 2-5-3 structure, with Azpilicueta staying deeper and Alba advancing. Movements from Olmo, who dropped into midfield, created overloads but also left the front line devoid of a classic striker’s presence.
Tactically, Spain sought to:
– Pull Italian midfielders, notably Verratti, out of position through positional rotations, creating pockets for Pedri or Olmo to receive and progress the ball.
– Exploit the left side with overlapping or underlapping runs from Alba, coupled with cross-field switches.
– Increase tempo in the final third after careful buildup, although they often failed to translate control into high-quality scoring opportunities until Italy retreated defensively.
Dani Olmo stood out for his spatial awareness and creativity, most notably when providing the assist for Morata’s goal.
Spain Out of Possession: High Line Risks and Defensive Adjustments
Given their ball dominance, Spain’s defensive duties were less frequent but critical. They defended with a high line, seeking to compress space and catch Italy’s runners offside. This strategy was a double-edged sword—it disrupted some attacks, but also left them exposed to Italy’s speed on the counter. Goalkeeper Unai Simón was forced to sweep up behind his defenders, with mixed success.
To counter the threat from Italy’s forwards in transition, Busquets would occasionally drop between the center-backs, forming a temporary back five when needed. Physicality and rapid pressing after turnovers were key tactical features, but Spain generally struggled to match Italy’s pace in direct duels, especially down the right.
Match Summary and Key Lessons
The Euro 2020 semi-final between Italy and Spain was a showcase of contrasting philosophies: Spain’s possession-oriented control met by Italy’s dynamic transitions and defensive discipline. While Spain held more of the ball and appeared in control, they created few clear chances aside from their late equalizer. Italy, by contrast, were clinical with their opportunities and resilient in defense, even as fatigue set in during extra time.
In the end, Italy’s tactical flexibility, strong team organization, and execution under pressure saw them through to the final. The match highlighted the value of adaptability and defensive solidity, especially when facing a team adept at monopolizing possession.
Both teams provided a tactical spectacle, but it was Italy who held their nerve in the penalty shootout and advanced to the Euro 2020 final, further cementing their unbeaten run on the international stage.
