Spanish coach Luis Enrique described Tuesday’s semifinals of the European Championship with Italy as the race of two sports cars and one of the best matches in the tournament. Despite the elimination in the penalty shootout according to Enrique “La Roja”, they showed that they clearly ranked among the best teams in the tournament. He would give his players number one for working on the Euro.
Spain lost at Wembley in London after an hour of play after a hit by Federico Chiesa, but 20 minutes later he replaced the alternating Álvaro Morata. Even the third duel “La Roja” in the elimination part did not bring a decision in normal playing time. Unlike the quarter-final duel, the Swiss did not manage the penalty shootout and lost 2: 4 in it.
The duel was followed by the highest attendance so far in the tournament so far, 57,811 spectators. “The level of the match was incredible. Both teams are very good and tried to show good football. It was a real spectacle for lovers of this sport. Italy and we started with extraordinary intensity. It looked like a race of two athletes. We saw one of the best matches on “Perhaps Italy will show another great performance in the final and win,” quoted UEFA Enrique’s website.
According to captain and midfielder Sergio Busquets, the whole of the Iberian Peninsula deserved more progress. “Everyone made Italy a big favorite, but we showed that we were better than them. Overall, we were the more dominant team. But football is like that. We can only congratulate Italy.” stated the world and European champion.
Enrique did not regret anything. “In professional sports, we all have to learn to win and absorb defeats. That’s why I want to congratulate Italy. We go home knowing that we were definitely among the best teams in the tournament,” declared the native of Gijón. “If I wanted to mark players, they would deserve number one. They were amazing. I have nothing to complain about, I have to praise them. It’s time for them to rest.” said the 51-year-old former player of Real Madrid and Barcelona, whom he also led as a coach.
Above all, he praised the 18-year-old Barcelona midfielder Pedri, who became the youngest Spanish player to ever hit the European Championship. He played all the matches in the basic line-up and only in the quarterfinals against Switzerland he replaced the extra time at the end. “Does anyone pay attention to what he has shown on the Euro? No one before him has succeeded, not even Andrés Iniest. We will take care of him.” said Enrique.
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