Euro 2016: 5 things we learned from Day 4

What we learned from day four at Euro 2016, as Belgium fell short against Italy, Ireland couldn't kill off Sweden and Spain ground out a win over Czech Republic.

Posted Tuesday, June 14, 2016 by YAHOO Sport

Reigning European Champions Spain got their Euro campaign started with a match against a Czech Republic side who conceded far too many in qualifying. Ireland took on Sweden in a game both sides felt confident of winning and the day was rounded off with arguably the biggest fixture of the competition so far: young hopefuls Belgium against wily veterans Italy.

Iniesta is still the difference maker for Spain

Euro 2016: 5 things we learned from Day 4

There’s been a lot of talk since the debacle at the last World Cup as to whether this Spain side is good enough to win the Euros. It’s littered with talent but since Xavi Hernandez and David Villa left it hasn’t quite had the same spark. Thankfully for Vincent del Bosque he still has Andres Iniesta to call upon and the Barcelona man loves performing on the big stage.

Czech Republic put on a brave showing against Spain despite being huge underdogs. While it’s true they were largely outplayed, they made it tough for the reigning European champions and managed to keep Alvaro Morata and co at bay until the 87th minute. At the end it was left to Iniesta to produce a wonderful ball into the box that emergency striker Gerard Pique glanced into the back of the net to give Spain a crucial victory. Not pretty but effective.

Ireland fail to kill off Sweden and pay the price

Euro 2016: 5 things we learned from Day 4

It hasn’t been a high-scoring tournament so far and that’s meant most games have been open going into the final few minutes. No one has put in a commanding, dominant performance or even caused an upset yet. I don’t think there was a great deal of quality on show between Ireland and Sweden but the battling spirit of both sides - and their respective weaknesses - meant no one was going to run away with it.

Ireland were the better side and should’ve been a couple of goals to the good before Wes Hoolahan scored a beautifully driven shot into the far corner. I expected them to kick on, go for the kill, but like so many sides they appeared to wilt under the pressure and Sweden fought back, grabbing a fortunate equaliser but one you can’t say wasn’t deserved. The Irish will look back at this as being two points dropped ahead of facing Belgium next weekend.

Sweden are arguably the most one-man side in the competition

Euro 2016: 5 things we learned from Day 4

A lot of talk going into the Euros was about Wales’ dependence on Gareth Bale, and that’s true to an extent, but I’d go as far to say that Sweden rely a lot more on Zlatan Ibrahimovic than Wales do on Bale. There’s a distinct lack of quality in this generation of Swedish players and when the flamboyant striker isn’t at his best, it’s hard to see how they managed to quality for the tournament.

Whereas Wales have some established names to help Bale out, Zlatan is literally holding up the entire side by himself. He wasn’t at his best against Ireland as John O’Shea and Ciaran Clark kept tight to him, nullifying his influence, but the one time they left Ibrahimovic free his cross was turned into his own net by Clark. When he does finally hang up his boots at international level Sweden could be in serious trouble.

Dismiss Italy at your peril

Euro 2016: 5 things we learned from Day 4

When the Italian squad was announced many saw it as the weakest in recent years. Even with a lack of options in attack, Mario Balotelli couldn’t make it onto the shortlist as a wildcard. But what Italy lack in attack they more than make up for in defence. It’s something ingrained into their history and their philosophy is that every great side needs to be built on a strong defence.

Antonio Conte’s tactics were hardly a great surprise to anyone - apart from Marc Wilmots - and the traditional parking of the bus worked a treat against a Belgium side that struggle to create chances. The first goal came out of nothing as Leonardo Bonucci picked out Emanuele Giaccherini from inside his own half and the Sunderland man’s first touch and finish were sublime. The second was a result of Belgium committing men forward but Italy didn’t rush the counter, instead patiently waiting for an opening and Graziano Pelle volleyed home from close range.

Belgium’s golden generation handicapped by their coach

Euro 2016: 5 things we learned from Day 4

One of the most exciting squads, on paper, is Belgium’s. There’s a nice blend of youth and experience, plus strength in depth from the goalkeeper all the way through to the striker. Yet watching them against Italy their main tactic was shooting from 30 yards out or sending it long for Marouane Fellaini to win the header. Tactics you’d expect from smaller, weaker sides but not one as talented as Belgium.

The starting line-up was wrong to begin with. Italian sides tend to be smart with possession and the inclusion of someone like Mousa Dembele would’ve made more sense than that of Fellaini. Yannick Ferreira Carrasco was the last substitute to come on but he has the pace, tricks and ability to test a slow Italian backline. Why didn’t he start? There was no freedom to Belgium’s play and you felt certain players were shackled by the system. In the end they were punished by a team with a tactically superior coach.