As Luciano Spalletti prepares for the biggest challenge of his first year in charge of Italy, the 65-year-old is relishing the occasion of facing the highest exponents of his philosophy in Spain. The grandest rivalry in European Championship history will take a new twist at Euro 2024, as Gelsenkirchen stages the first heavyweight clash of a tournament that has so far been defined by the unfancied nations seizing their opportunity. Spalletti knows his Italy side remain a work in progress if they are to reach the levels of possession once set by Spain, who themselves represent something different from what has come before.
New faces are attempting to lead respective revolutions. Spain’s next generation is being moulded by Luis de la Fuente’s pragmatism. An opening victory over Croatia was notable for the fact that they had less possession than their opponents, bringing a run of 136 competitive matches since the Euro 2008 final against Germany to an end. Led by captain Alvaro Morata and the 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who can further add to his blossoming reputation on the biggest stage against Italy, Spain’s greatest weapon is now the counter-attack, rather than trying to pass teams to death.
