> Montolivo’s opening goal > Xabi Alonso equalized from the 11 meter mark > Aquilani set the result 2-1 > Main developments of the match

Italy started better, opening the score in the 11th minute and dominating the first half, although in the same half, they allowed Spain to equalize 1-1 with Xabi Alonso’s 11-meter goal.

After the break, the situation on the field was under Spain’s control, but Italy scored the decisive goal thanks to Aquilani’s somewhat lucky goal six minutes before the end of official time.

The victory over Spain is a great encouragement for Italy in its efforts to rejuvenate and rebuild the team after a heavy defeat in the 2010 World Cup. Photo: AFP.

If viewed strictly, yesterday Italy probably did not harvest much in terms of expertise, because it is difficult to consider the force that Spain launched at San Nicola to be among the most elite.

However, as Coach Prandelli said after the match, a victory is still a victory and his Italy team has the right to be proud of having defeated the world champions, even if only in a friendly match.

At San Nicola Stadium, to deal with a very strong Spain in the midfield, Italy did not use a central striker or wide-field players, but placed two strikers with a tendency to play backwards, Cassano and Rossi, at the same time.

In the fourth minute, Italy made Spain’s heart stop with a quick attack arrangement.

Opportunities continuously came to Italy in the following minutes after precise passes across the line, but neither Cassano nor Rossi succeeded in taking advantage.

Spain only sees the friendly match with Italy as an opportunity to test and therefore does not use the strongest squad.

Italy did not flinch after this defeat.

At the beginning of the second half, Spain replaced three positions at the same time, including the presence of rookie Thiago Alcantara and Villa.

Squad:

Italy (4-3-1-2): Buffon – Maggio, Ranocchia (Bonucci 77), Chiellini, Criscito – De Rossi (Aquilani 65), Pirlo, Thiago Motta (Marchisio 46) – Montolivo (Nocerino 74) – Cassano (Balotelli

Spain (4-3-3): Casillas (Valdes 46) – Iraola (Thiago 46), Piquè (Busquets 45), Albiol, Arbeloa – Javi Martinez, Xabi Alonso, Iniesta (Villa 46) – Cazorla (Mata 79)

Goals: Montolivo 11′, Aquilani 84′ – Xabi Alonso pen 37′.

Phuong Minh