Antonio Conte
Xavi, former Spain's international believe Conte is a mixed Atletico Madrid and Barcelona due to his tactics of play.
The former Barca midfielder has been impressed so far with the Azzurri's coaches style Xavi said his work is of same similarities with Atletico and Barcelona style of play.
"I believe Italy are a mix of Barcelona and Atletico. You always have your great history as well. Even if you switched the entire starting XI you still have that fight. Italy have always been dangerous."
"[Italy's] 3-5-2 formation is tough for a team that wants to press high. When Italy move forward with the ball, they can do so with one of the three defenders or the five midfielders which makes it difficult for Spain to press," he added.
"Playing with two strikers complicates things because that forces both of our central defenders to mark, pushing one of our full-backs up to press Antonio Candreva or Alessandro Florenzi.
"You have to change formation in order to adapt. Chile and Netherlands both used a 3-5-2 against us at the 2014 World Cup and we struggled."
Xavi in his words believes Spain has proven the better side as the way they take possession of the ball and believe they can match Italy.
"Spain have played the best football at the Euros," said Xavi. "We have done well in defence and that starts in attack.
"The other team rarely see the ball and are unable to create chances. The key is to play like a team: if someone doesn’t participate, that is where the problems begin.
"Then there are two key players who hold the team together, and I don’t just say that because they are friends: Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta.
"The first brings balance and is able to carry the ball out, while the second organises things and leads the attack. They are key to the side and the best Spanish players."
Antonio Conte's side topped the group of the ongoing Euro 2016 while Spain came second in their group.
However Italy lost their last group match to Republic of Ireland by a lone goal after Conte rested most of their starting lineup.
The former Barca midfielder has been impressed so far with the Azzurri's coaches style Xavi said his work is of same similarities with Atletico and Barcelona style of play.
"He's applied what he did at Juventus. They defend deep, and are able to play with or without the ball," Xavi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I believe Italy are a mix of Barcelona and Atletico. You always have your great history as well. Even if you switched the entire starting XI you still have that fight. Italy have always been dangerous."
"[Italy's] 3-5-2 formation is tough for a team that wants to press high. When Italy move forward with the ball, they can do so with one of the three defenders or the five midfielders which makes it difficult for Spain to press," he added.
"Playing with two strikers complicates things because that forces both of our central defenders to mark, pushing one of our full-backs up to press Antonio Candreva or Alessandro Florenzi.
"You have to change formation in order to adapt. Chile and Netherlands both used a 3-5-2 against us at the 2014 World Cup and we struggled."
Xavi in his words believes Spain has proven the better side as the way they take possession of the ball and believe they can match Italy.
"Spain have played the best football at the Euros," said Xavi. "We have done well in defence and that starts in attack.
"The other team rarely see the ball and are unable to create chances. The key is to play like a team: if someone doesn’t participate, that is where the problems begin.
"Then there are two key players who hold the team together, and I don’t just say that because they are friends: Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta.
"The first brings balance and is able to carry the ball out, while the second organises things and leads the attack. They are key to the side and the best Spanish players."
No comments:
Post a Comment