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Former Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, an expert panellist for Optus Sport’s coverage of the Euros, previews the two semifinals for The Roar, starting with tomorrow morning’s match between Spain and Italy.
Italy are really impressive.
The form they had coming into the tournament, how they have played during it and the change under Roberto Mancini from when he took over in 2018 where they hit their lowest ranking and were knocked out of the World Cup by Sweden has all been exceptional.
Their win in the quarterfinal was a 32nd game unbeaten and they’ve won 27 of those, including the last 13. While that unbeaten record, and keeping 11 clean sheets before letting in a goal against Austria, is very special, they’re also playing differently, and better, to what we’ve seen from Italian sides in the past.
They’re still good at the back but they’re playing with a lot more positivity and a lot more energy thanks to their younger players.
I fancy them to beat Spain. I think they have done well, but I still feel that while they’re creating chances they’re missing too many and also look a little bit shaky at the back.
Coming up against a side as good as Italy are in this tournament I think they will struggle and be exposed a little bit.
The Euro semi-finals and final are now available free to watch live on Optus Sport plus don’t miss the live and exclusive coverage of the Copa America.
It’s going to be a fascinating game because you’ve got two teams that want to play football and have possession so it will be a battle of who can gain the upper hand.
Italy will have the edge at both ends of the field, although both number 9s – Alvaro Morata for Spain and Ciro Immobile for Italy – would have liked to have scored more goals.
Italy will have a little bit more even though they will be missing one of the best players in this tournament in Leonardo Spinazzola who ruptured his Achilles tendon against Belgium.
That was heartbreaking for them and for him personally, because he has been a revelation at wingback in the competition – up with Denzel Dumfries from the Netherlands and Joakim Maehle, who laid on a superb assist in the win over Czech Republic, as outstanding players of the tournament in that position.
Emerson, of Chelsea, will probably have to come in and fill those boots and that is a little bit of a minus for them – but overall they have a squad that’s capable and should win against Spain.
Italy’s ageless centre back Giorgio Chiellini has had another impressive tournament.
He’s 36 but still a world-class defender. He might not be as quick as he’s been in the past, but you can see when he and Leonardo Bonucci are playing together the understanding they have.
I’ve been a goalkeeper with defenders in front of me and when you’ve got players who know each other inside out and really play well together it makes all the difference.
They know that when someone is pushing in on a striker the other one covers in behind and they’re smart, so if they’re up against players with more pace they just drop in at the right time to give themselves an extra yard. That’s what good defenders do and those two always end up being in the right place at the right time.
Italy have obviously had some amazing players in that position such as Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro – and Chiellini is right up there with them.
That type of defender – who celebrate a block as if it were a goal – are the best kind of defenders. I love that, when they put so much pride into defending, throwing their bodies in the way.
The more you look at the details of defending, it’s a lot about positioning and anticipation and bravery and timing and the top defenders are a huge asset.
In this game they are likely to make things tough for Morata once again.
The game and the way you get treated, can be really tough when you’re out of form.
The questions over Morata’s ability are not fair because he’s a good player. It’s very similar to what’s happening with Timo Werner.
They’re going through the same thing but the reason they keep getting picked is that they’re such great assets for their teams.
I think Morata had his worst game of this tournament against Switzerland, with nothing working for him and no clear-cut chances, but he showed his worth against Croatia with an amazing finish. That definitely didn’t look like a player who was low on confidence.
Spain will need him to rise for this one. Against Italy he won’t get 20 chances, he will get one or two, and he needs to put one away for sure for them to go through. It will hinge on him.
He definitely has my sympathy. When things start to come out that his family has been abused over his performances, that’s not on.
I’ve been there when fans are not happy. They call you names, and I can deal with that, but when it goes to the next level that’s when it has to stop.
He worked hard and he seems like a really good guy, so I hope he pops up with a goal for sure.
It’s a tough environment at times but it can change quickly and dramatically. If Morata scores two goals in the semifinal and one in the final, he’ll go down in history.
That’s the mindset he needs to have – ‘ok, I’ve got a chance in the next game. I’ve got to go out and perform’ – and then things can change so quickly.
If he’s the hero in the final he can walk on water.
Italy v Spain will be on Optus Sport at 5am on Wednesday, with England v Denmark at 5am on Thursday.
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