Thursday, October 6, 2016

Italy and Spain display their greatest strengths while their captains show off their weaknesses





A great game featured errors from the two leaders, Gianluigi Buffon and Sergio Ramos.

The first half of Thursday's World Cup qualifier between Spain and Italy featured the best of both sides. La Roja was dominant, with their midfield passing circles around the helpless Azzurri. But they struggled to generate clear chances, with the Italian back three up to the task of blocking shots and making last-ditch tackles, even while they got very little help from the men in front of them.


The second half of the game was defined by the deficiencies of two legends who have led their teams to major honors. First, 38-year-old Gianluigi Buffon -- as he tends to do once every couple of months -- overestimated his physical abilities. He rushed off his line to make a clearance, but couldn't get to the ball as quickly as he used to, and was made to look like a fool by Vitolo.






Italy rarely looked like scoring in the first 75 minutes of the match, but were eventually gifted a point by Sergio Ramos. He's been capped 138 times by his country and has been a European champion twice each for Real Madrid and La Roja, but if he has one flaw, it's that he's too aggressive. He was made to pay for that when he was whistled for a foul on Eder in the box, and Daniele De Rossi converted the penalty.






This 1-1 draw showed off the best and worst of both teams. Italy's defense was superb, but their legendary goalkeeper forgot that he's lost a step. Spain's midfield was incredible, but their captain couldn't stop himself from lunging at the ball in a crucial moment. And thanks to all that, we're no closer to having a favorite to win Group G and qualify directly for the World Cup.

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