Spain coach Luis Enrique confirms he used a False 9 after seeing how Italy ‘dealt with’ Romelu Lukaku so comfortably, and is cheering on the Azzurri in the UEFA EURO 2020 Final.
It was 1-1 after 90 minutes with Alvaro Morata coming off the bench to cancel out a Federico Chiesa opener, then the Nazionale won a penalty shoot-out.
“Happy for what I saw, the level was incredible between two quality teams who tried to play good football. I think it was a spectacle for afficionados of the sport,” Luis Enrique told RAI Sport.
“I congratulate Italy and hope they can put in another fine performance in the Final, trying to win the trophy.
“I have no regrets. Everyone has to do his job and do all that he can. Italy started with extraordinary intensity, so did we, it was like two sportscars racing each other, head-to-head, and some of the best football we’ve seen in the Euros.”
Luis Enrique seemed to completely stump Roberto Mancini by using a False 9, leaving both Alvaro Morata and Gerard Moreno on the bench, which he admits was inspired by seeing Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci keep Lukaku quiet when beating Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-final.
“I saw Chiellini and Bonucci deal with Lukaku and thought maybe it’s better to take away a reference point, add another body in midfield. It was a good plan, we overcame the Italy press and played really well.”
He spent a season in Italy as Roma coach and saluted Daniele De Rossi, now a member of Mancini’s staff, before kick-off at Wembley.
Who will he be supporting on Sunday when Italy face either England or Denmark?
“It won’t be good for the English, but yes, I will cheer on Italy in the Final.”