But in this Spain team, it’s more exhausting than at Barça.
"The biggest issue for Italy is the lack of ball control. Spain’s midfield interception is very aggressive, making it difficult for Italy’s wings to bring the ball past midfield," Professor Winter pointed out. "Also, it’s clear that Lu Yang is receiving special attention from Spain in this match."
"It seems Spain believes Lu Yang is the key to reigniting the Italian team’s stars and returning them to their peak. And indeed, this is the case; whether it’s Praxedes or Perrotta, their brilliant performances include a lot of collaboration with Lu Yang."
"Burgos and Rubio have tightly marked Lu Yang today, and the ball losses by Lu Yang in this match have reached the highest level in a single game of this European Cup!"
Both sides are facing difficulties.
But neither side can temporarily solve these issues.
Until five minutes after the second half began.
Spain’s Barça brain Hernandez was knocked down during a struggle for the ball with Pellegrini.
Standing over 1.85 meters tall, Pellegrini is known as an All-Purpose Midfielder; it’s acceptable for him to clash with defenders, let alone Hernandez.
After examination by the team doctor, Hernandez was confirmed unable to continue the match.
Spain immediately made adjustments.
They had Ortiz, who was already a midfielder, return to midfield, and Talista was put on as the left winger!
This forced adjustment was a masterpiece for Spain.
Because besides Barça’s tiki-taka using passing to tear apart defenses and Atletico Madrid’s counterattack using speed to tear apart defenses, Talista excels at a third method of tearing defenses apart.
Using brute force!
Hard hits and collisions!
Intense physical contact!
This isn’t against the rules, though it might seem unfriendly.
But many teams have adopted this style of play, commonly known as ’raising the intensity.’
The players of the Italy National Team surely have no physical issues; Talista doesn’t really have much advantage.
But it’s a very intense drain.
Under Talista’s consumption, Italy’s defensive players inevitably enter an overloaded state, greatly increasing the likelihood of errors.
And any mistake doesn’t escape the eyes of "Barça’s midfield sharp blade" Ortiz.
Hernandez has the best vision and field control.
But Ortiz is the key figure connecting Barça’s attacking line and midfield.
His threat level within the team is second only to the football Elf Moreira and Argentina’s King Mateo.
Sixty-first minute!
A direct through ball!
Ortiz makes his move.
Talista and Domenguez were conducting a crossover switch, and the defenders hesitated in that moment.
Talista retreated, attracting Chiavich and Lam.
After receiving the ball, he leaned back hard, having a fierce collision with Chiavich.
During the stumble, Talista semi-turned and passed the ball.
Not a very good pass, but it indeed broke through the Italy Team’s defense.
After the crossover switch, Domenguez immediately ran opposite, cutting into the penalty area.
Canyes was directly left behind.
Bang!
Domenguez seized the chance and scored swiftly, giving Spain the lead.
One to zero!
Atletico’s star player, first on the score sheet!
Talista grandstands!
See, less than ten minutes on the field and already delivered an assist!
Who is the key player for Spain now is very obvious, isn’t it!
Spain’s defensive midfielder Burgos found the situation complex.
If it were Mateo, he definitely would have used a picturesque turn to pass Chiavich, then feigned a shot to floor Bernulin, then fake-passed to Domenguez to draw Audi’s attention, finally shooting.
If it were other Barça players, they would directly back-pass without stopping, allowing Ortiz or Hernandez to make an overhead direct through ball and penetrate Italy, leaving Domenguez with an easy one-on-one.
All of these would be more reliable than Talista relying on physicality to challenge Chiavich and then making a pass he didn’t expect to be that bad.
Had it not been for Domenguez’s excellent adjustment and shooting ability, that ball might not have gone in.
However, Burgos’s sense of superiority lasted less than five minutes.
Sixty-fifth minute.
Lu Yang launched a sneak attack from behind, intercepting Burgos and then unleashing a long-range strike from outside the penalty area.
The ball hit the net.
Yet the main referee blew the whistle, indicating Lu Yang’s interception was a foul, thus the goal was invalid.
Lu Yang spread his hands, expressing his dissatisfaction, and began arguing with the main referee.
Meanwhile, Burgos, who had rolled several times on the ground and was performing exaggerated pain, lay on the ground peering through the gaps between his fingers, observing the exchange between Lu Yang and the main referee to decide when to perform a medical miracle and rise to return to the match.
Unfortunately, this scene was captured on the large screen.
Countless Italian fans at the scene started booing.
Spain’s fans were slightly embarrassed one by one.
Including the player Domenguez, who initially intended to confront Lu Yang, but upon seeing Burgos’s demeanor, Domenguez’s face turned red instead.
Although doing this wasn’t wrong, although it was for victory, and although it was reasonable use of the rules, it was... too shameful.
In contrast, Talista looked at Burgos with an appreciative gaze.
Another thick-skinned player like him.
This person, in the future, will surely become significant and be a pillar of the Spain team!
Just like me!