There is a proverb that says that whoever does not suffer does not know himself. Julen Guerrero’s Under-17s had to do it in their debut in the European Championship against an Italy that annulled La Rojita in the first half to forget, but who knew how to rebuild after the break, when they showed their best version, the one that has made it reach the continental tournament undefeated. The striker of the Barcelona youth academy Marc Guiu, with a double, was the great protagonist of a match in which Lamine Yamal left several flashes of his enormous quality.
Julen surprised with the line-up, giving the center of the field to two rookies, Granados (Orlando City) and Merino (Málaga).. A double pivot with which the coach transmitted a clear message to the locker room: those who win the position in training will play, regardless of stripes. Ahead of them, open ends, Lamine acting as free verse and Guiu as the only striker. Little surprise.
With that very marked 4-2-3-1, Spain tried to gain control of the ball from the start, but it was Italy that, with verticality and few touches, created the most danger. An unfortunate mistake by Héctor Fort (Barcelona) when trying to clear a cross left the ball dead in the area at the feet of Ragnoli Galli, who did not forgive Jiménez (Valencia).
Only a quarter of an hour had passed and there was plenty of time to get up. But La Rojita did not finish stretching. So much so that after the goal, Italy was many moments closer to 2-0 than to the tie. Lamine was the only one who shed some light on the Spanish attack with an isolated play in true Iniesta style. The Barça youth squad cut two players on the baseline and looked for Guiu in the small area, who Martinelli deprived of the goal. An oasis is a very flat first part of Spain.
Great reaction after the break
The script had to be changed and the second part began with changes: Arza and Roberto Martín came on for Javi Fernández and Fort. The drawing did not change, but Julen hoped that the new ones would give fresh air to a team that needed a fan in the face.
After the break, La Rojita was another. Brave, daring, direct. The tie came soon thanks to a whiplash from Rajado that hit the crossbar and whose rebound pushed Guiu into the goal with Martinelli already defeated. The Italian goalkeeper prevented Spain from coming back before 65′ with great saves to Cubarsí, Lamine and Rajado. All very clear occasions. Yes indeed, could not avoid Guiu’s double, who from the balcony of the area sent the squad an unstoppable dry folha that did justice in the 75th minute′ and that allows Spain to dream big in this European Championship. On Sunday, second round against Slovenia.