Luis Enrique explains the Spain press was key to neutralising Italy in the Nations League semi-final and reveals he told Gavi to chase down his ‘idol’ Marco Verratti.
The game ended 2-1 with a Ferran Torres brace, around the Leonardo Bonucci red card at the 43rd minute, although Lorenzo Pellegrini scored late on after a Federico Chiesa counter-attack.
“The key was perhaps that we are capable of playing the way we always do, that is the key to this game,” Luis Enrique told RAI Sport.
“Italy are so strong that they are always difficult opponents. I think it was one of the best matches of football that you can see at international level.
“We were able to press very well, block off some of Italy’s qualities and in the end we created danger with players from the second lines. It was almost the perfect performance for us.”
Gavi was a surprise in the starting XI, a Barcelona youth player born in August 2004, becoming the youngest ever debutant for Spain.
“See how good the kids are in Spain! It is not normal to see a player with this character, this confidence on his debut. He will be the future of the Spain squad and I think the present too,” added Luis Enrique.
“Verratti is his idol! I told him, today you press Verratti from the first moment to the last. He loved it.”
Spain have the satisfaction of saying they ended Italy’s world record 37-match unbeaten streak.
“The satisfaction is that we are in the final, not that we ended this run, because Italy deserved that world record and they continue to play football at a very high level.”
Luis Enrique was asked if he was offended by some of the fans at San Siro jeering the Spanish national anthem before kick-off.
“The Italian anthem is so wonderful that starting a game like that is a great atmosphere. I heard a few jeers, but I saw Bonucci and the others waving for them to stop. I think there is always respect between Italy and Spain.”