4) De Sciglio excels at left wing back
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Though Italy’s centre-halves will receive the plaudits for this result, one cannot rule out the contributions made by the two wingbacks, Mattia de Sciglio in particular. Preferably a right wingback, he had the responsibility to do a job on the other side so that Alessandro Florenzi could be accommodated.
However, he was up to the task and put in an excellent performance down the flanks. He provided the width for Italy going forward, feeding Giaccherini so that he could be sent on his bike. The long switch pass he made to Matteo Darmian in injury time (in the build-up to the second goal) was one of several key passes throughout the game.
The desire he showed to track back and assist his central defenders was commendable too. By keeping up with Juanfran, he ensured that the Atletico Madrid fullback was unable to put quality crosses into the penalty area. Being a two-footed player, he was also effective in dealing with Spanish crosses coming from either side.
His work-ethic for 90 minutes never waned and Conte will rely on his wingback to recover in time and come out all guns blazing once again when his side face Germany in the last eight.
