Gavi who had played only seven games for Barcelona in the 2021-22 season showed no signs of nerves as he literally bossed the midfield.
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Luis Enrique’s Spain did a brilliant job against the European champions Italy to go through to the Nations League final. Spain defeated Italy 2-1 at San Siro to end their 37-match unbeaten run courtesy of a brace from Ferran Torres on either side of Leonardo Bonucci’s two yellow cards. It was a sweet revenge for Enrique as Spain were beaten by the Azzurri in the semi-final of Euro 2020 this summer. Meanwhile Barcelona midfielder Gavi showed why Enrique had shown faith in him as the youngster produced a brilliant performance while becoming the youngest player in Spain’s history at the age of 17 years and 62 days.
Gavi who had played only seven games for Barcelona in the 2021-22 season showed no signs of nerves as he literally bossed the midfield. Up against the likes of Ballon d’or hopeful Jorginho and and his idol Marco Verratti he showed no sign of being overawed.
He was composed on the ball, his passing was crisp and never shied away from putting in challenges.
“See how good the kids are in Spain! It is not normal to see a player with this character, this confidence on his debut,” Luis Enrique told RAI Sport.
“He will be the future of the Spain squad and I think the present too. Verratti is his idol! I told him, today you press Verratti from the first moment to the last. He loved it.”
Enrique said Spain’s pressing was key to the success and Gavi played a pivotal role as he didn’t allow opposition midfielders to settle in. The Barcelona boy was on the opposition’s face throughout the match.
“The key was perhaps that we are capable of playing the way we always do, that is the key to this game,” Luis Enrique told RAI Sport.
“Italy are so strong that they are always difficult opponents. I think it was one of the best matches of football that you can see at international level.
“We were able to press very well, block off some of Italy’s qualities and in the end we created danger with players from the second lines. It was almost the perfect performance for us.”
Enrique added: “The satisfaction is that we are in the final, not that we ended this run, because Italy deserved that world record and they continue to play football at a very high level.”
Overall it was a near perfect performance from the Spanish side as they showed glimpses of their hey days. They were pressing as a team, quick with their passing and didn’t allow the opposition to dictate the pace of the game at any point.
Spain will next take on either France or Belgium in the final on Sunday at the same venue.
Torres, who scored the brace, was withdrawn immediately after the break as a precautionary measure and Enrique would be hoping to have the Manchester city striker available for the final. The 21-year-old is in scintillating form for La Roja with 12 goals from 21 outings.
“We knew it was a special match, we fell in the semi-finals of the European Championship and what better way to beat them at home in another semi-final,” said Torres, according to Marca.
“I am happy for the team. I believe that perseverance and training make the results arrive.
“I had a few minor annoyances (with injury) but I’m already thinking about the final.’
Enrique added: “I’m not sure how Ferran will be.
“He had a knock in the first half and another in the second half so we decided to take no risks.”
