3) Italy’s experience and telepathy at the back helped them defend the lead
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It helps when your three centre-backs have the experience of 60 (Barzagli), 61 (Bonucci) and 87 (Chiellini) caps respectively. It further helps when all three play for the same club (Juventus). The trio needed all that experience to defend that lead and help their nation advance to the quarter-finals against Germany.
They closed out all the gaps to ensure that no Spaniard was able to weave their magic through the middle. As the game progressed and Spain began creating more opportunities through their full-backs, the trio’s synchronised movements across the goal made sure that substitute Aritz Aduriz didn’t have the luxury of getting his head to a cross cleanly. To back them up, they were backed up by some good goalkeeping by the ever-present Gigi Buffon – saving well from Iniesta and Gerard Pique at the death.
In short, it was a defensive masterclass from Antonio Conte’s side.
