Luis Enrique explained Romelu Lukaku’s inability to make an impact against Italy’s renowned defence played a key role in his decision to drop Alvaro Morata ahead of Tuesday’s Euro 2020 semi-final.
The former Chelsea striker had endured a mixed tournament, but his omission from the starting line-up raised eyebrows before the game with Enrique opting to deploy Dani Olmo in a false nine position.
Although Spain created several noteworthy chances, it wasn’t until Morata was brought on, immediately after his side fell behind to Federico Chiesa’s opener, that La Roja began to unsettle Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
Morata duly equalised with 10 minutes remaining and gave his Juventus teammates a difficult evening, before proving to be the fall guy in the shootout, missing the crucial penalty.
Still, Spain were unmistakably a more potent threat with their leading striker on the pitch but Enrique insisted he did not regret the decision having watched Lukaku toil in Belgium’s quarter final defeat.
He said: ‘I have no regrets. Everyone has to do his job and do all that he can.
‘Italy started with extraordinary intensity, so did we, it was like two sportscars racing each other, head-to-head, and some of the best football we’ve seen in the Euros.
‘I saw Chiellini and Bonucci deal with Lukaku and thought maybe it’s better to take away a reference point, add another body in midfield.’
‘It was a good plan, we overcame the Italy press and played really well.’
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