Delafuente: Spain vs Italy Could Be Euro or World Cup Final-Level Match

On June 20, in the second round of Group B at the European Championship, Spain will face Italy in a highly anticipated clash. In a pre-match press conference, Spain’s coach, Delafuente, stated that the two teams are like mirrors of each other and predicted that the match could have the intensity of a World Cup final.

Delafuente affirmed that Spain is aiming for victory: “There’s no doubt that we’re fighting for the win; we always strive for the best results.”

He highlighted the similarities between Italy and Spain: “Italy is very similar to us. Under Spalletti, they’ve undergone significant changes and have many young players. Both teams, it feels like we’re looking into a mirror.”

In this edition of the Euros, Spain has moved away from its obsession with possession. Delafuente discussed the change in the team’s style: “As a coach, you need to adapt to your players’ qualities and play to their strengths. I don’t think our style has changed; I just want to speed up our transitions and attacking tempo.”

Delafuente refrained from discussing title aspirations: “The Euros aren’t just one game, it’s a marathon. France, Germany, Italy, England, and Portugal are all strong contenders. We must remain humble and continue to improve.”

He expressed great respect for Italy: “Italy is consistently strong in international competitions. We’ve faced each other many times before, and this upcoming match could have the intensity of a Euro or even a World Cup final. Italian football has a great soccer culture and outstanding athletes, who are naturally competitive at this level.”