Lack of rest killed us against Spain: Italy coach
July 2nd, 2012 - 4:53 am ICT by IANS
Kiev, July 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Italy coach Cesare Prandelli acknowledged Monday his side had struggled to cope with the physical demands of Euro 2012 after their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Spain in the final.
Goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata secured the title for Spain in a showcase of sublime passing and ruthless finishing.
Italy had periods of pressure but couldn’t make them count, especially when their third substitute Thiago Motta went off with a hamstring injury to leave his team to play out the last half hour with 10 men.
“We saw right from the start that they looked fresher,” Prandelli told UEFA.com. “We had spent a lot of energy in the past week.”
“We didn’t get things wrong, but realized from the outset we needed to constrain them because physically we were really struggling.”
He spoke of his pride, however, at reaching the final of a tournament few expected Italy to venture far, if at all, past the group stage.
“It was a fantastic tournament for us and I have to congratulate the lads.”
–IANS/RIA Novosti
snb
- Spain beat Italy 4-0 to win Euro 2012 title - Jul 02, 2012
- Spain wins Euro 2012 final, smashing Italy 4-0 (Lead) - Jul 02, 2012
- Euro 2012 win has to sink in: Jordi Alba - Jul 02, 2012
- Del Bosque hails 'great era' of Spanish football - Jul 02, 2012
- Euro 2012: Italy coach Prandelli applauds 'unique' Balotelli - Jun 29, 2012
- Italy beat England on penalties in Euro Cup - Jun 25, 2012
- Italy wept in changing room, says Buffon - Jul 02, 2012
- Euro 2012: Italy were 'cleverer' than Germany, says Loew - Jun 29, 2012
- Euro 2012: Buffon hopes for one more shock from Italy - Jul 01, 2012
- Jordi Alba joins Barcelona - Jun 28, 2012
- Euro 2012: Italy have fitness problems, says coach Prandelli - Jun 15, 2012
- Fabregas grabs 1-1 draw for Spain against Italy - Jun 11, 2012
- Alba, Mata and Martinez in Spain's Olympic squad - Jul 04, 2012
- Iniesta named player of Euro 2012 - Jul 02, 2012
- Spain always play the same way: Italy coach - Jun 10, 2012
Tags: alba, cesare prandelli, david silva, euro 2012, fernando torres, group stage, half hour, italy coach, jordi, kiev, lads, outset, periods, physical demands, pride, ria novosti, showcase, snb, spain