Italy vs. Spain: Score, Reaction from 2016 International Friendly

Italy and Spain played to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at the Stadio Friuli in the Udine, Italy, on Thursday, thanks in large part to the efforts of David De Gea.  

The Spanish goalkeeper came up huge throughout the contest, registering six saves, per ESPN FC, and holding off an Italian side that looked brighter for most of the game. Only Lorenzo Insigne managed to beat him with a second-half goal, though Aritz Aduriz's tally just minutes later quickly matched that.

WhoScored.com shared the game's key stats:

Antonio Candreva created the game's first real scoring threat in the sixth minute, as a long through ball sent him free down the right flank. He ripped a low cross toward Graziano Pelle, but Sergio Ramos beat him to the ball, though his clearance attempt flicked off the side of the post before going out of play.

Kyle McCarthy of New England Soccer Journal suspected that playing through Candreva would serve Italy well:

Indeed, it was Candreva who once again represented a threat in the 15th minute, as he found space in the middle of the pitch and ripped a low shot from just outside of the box toward the left post. De Gea was up for the challenge, however, making a lunging save with his right hand.

Spain offered little threat in the first half. Though they held more possession (53 percent), they didn't manage a single shot, whereas the Italians had five shots (three on goal) and earned more corners (3-2).

It's rare that Spain don't manage a shot in a half, as OptaPaolo tweeted:

Soccer writer Sid Lowe succinctly summarized the drab first half:

McCarthy blamed the lack of excitement, at least in some part, on neither side having their best starting XI available:

The second half, mercifully, was far more entertaining.

Unexpectedly, it was Italy who had the half's first opportunities. After a terrible giveaway from Spain, Emanuele Giaccherini raced down the left flank with room to spare. He found Insigne just outside of the box. The 24-year-old then smashed a dangerous shot toward the bottom right post that De Gea saved.

On the ensuing corner, Leonardo Bonucci's header went just wide of the goal.

Minutes later, Italy threatened again, as Insigne found Alessandro Florenzi on the right side of the box. He attempted to beat De Gea at the far corner, but the Spanish 'keeper once again was up to the task, making another excellent save.

Italy's dangerous counter-attack finally led to a goal in the 67th minute, however.

A through ball freed Giaccherini down the left flank, and he one-timed a low cross to Insigne, who merely had to deflect the ball into the net to give the Italians the lead.

The goal broke quite the streak for Spain, per Squawka Football:

But Italy's advantage was short-lived, as Spain drew even three minutes later.

After Marco Parolo's foul on Koke earned Spain a free-kick, Cesc Fabregas chipped the ball into the box, where Alvaro Morata headed toward goal. Gianluigi Buffon made the initial save but couldn't control the rebound, as Aduriz smashed home the game's equalising goal.

That goal came on Aduriz's first shot in international play, per OptaJose, and after a long layoff from the national team, as Squawka Football noted:

Neither team was able to add a second goal late in the game, however, and the game ended in a draw.

While these fixtures largely help each side's manager determine a few roster spots and allow younger players a chance to prove their worth, they also take on something of an added importance this year in the lead up to the 2016 European Championship, where both Spain and Italy will be two of the top contenders.

Both teams will certainly have their top XI's available for those contests, though players such as De Gea and Insigne made strong arguments for why they deserve to crack each country's starting lineup.

Up next for Spain will be another friendly, this time against Romania on March 27, while Italy next take on Germany in a friendly on March 29.

Post-Match Reaction

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta felt the performance was a bittersweet one for Spain.

“The draw leaves a sour taste," he told Football Espana. "When we were at our best we conceded. The team reacted well to equalise. It was a hard game. Neither team was able to play their game.”

Spanish manager Vicente Del Bosque credited Italy with playing a strong game, 

“Italy made more chances than us, but we did good things," he said, per Football Italia. "We couldn’t have possession of the ball. We needed to risk more. I hope we’re in a better condition for Euro 2016.”

He also singled out a few of his players.

“Aduriz performed well. He’s adapted perfectly to our game," Del Bosque noted. "Morata played well in both positions. I’m satisfied with his work. De Gea and Iker Casillas are good. We have absolute confidence in our goalkeepers.”

For fans of Spain, any hopes that Del Bosque might tip his hand in the goalkeeper battle and perhaps favor De Gea—who appears to be the better player at this point—were probably left disappointed by those comments.

While Del Bosque was hoping Spain would continue to improve before the Euros, Italy's Matteo Darmian was confident that his country would make noise at the tournament, as he told Rai Sport (via Football Italia):

"

We knew that Spain had great champions and Alvaro Morata is one of them, but today we limited a great opponent and put in a fine performance. It’s a shame we didn’t get the win, but the performance and spirit shown tonight gives us more confidence working towards Euro 2016.

We don’t have much time to work, but in training we try to absorb what the Coach asks of us as well as possible. We have a few more days to work and will certainly be ready for Euro 2016. We will not just be making a cameo at Euro 2016.

"

Italy's performance should inspire them and was very strong, in many ways, though the team will likely feel they should have finished a few more of the opportunities they created. Nonetheless, they stifled a very good Spain side and several players made a strong case to play a bigger role for the country going forward.

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