Spain U-21 versus Ukraine U-21 – Under 21 European Championships: First half review (Part 1)
Spain and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409
De Gea in goal for them. The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper was supported by a four man http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Álvaro-Domínguez-c5285, Botia and Martin Montoya.
In midfield, Spain opted to function on the blue prints of their senior team side as their three man central midfield includes the likes of Muniain, Javi http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-c34888 Alcantara lined up alongside Mata and
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adrián-c3701. Ukraine went with a 4-4-2 line up as Kanibolotskiy played in goal for them.
Butko, Rakitskiy, Sergey Krivtsov and Selin made up Ukraine’s back four. In midfield, Chesnakov was tasked with the defensive responsibilities whereas Garmash, Konoplyanka were empowered with playmaking duties. Up front, Zozulya
and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Volodymyr-Chesnakov-c36458 formed the Ukrainian strike force.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 maintained a monopoly over ball possession early on in the first half and the tournament favourites almost scored their first goal of the match in the 3rd minute when Didac made an incredible run into the box from
the right hand side. However the young Spanish full back failed to get hit his shot on target as the ball struck the side netting rather than the back of the net.
Before the match began Ukraine needed to win against Spain in order to progress past the group stage but their hopes of doing so were dealt a severe blow when in the 10th minute of the match, when Thiago Alcantara played
in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Juan-c19640 Mata inside the Ukrainian penalty area.
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 striker who benefitted from a mistake in the Ukrainian defence. Mata made no error with his final finish as he slotted the ball home to give his team
an early one goal lead.
With a one goal lead, Spain powered onwards to find a second goal as Ukraine found it really difficult to contain the rampant Spanish attack. Spain pressed up field even when they didn’t have the ball in order to force their counter
parts into mistakes. This strategy worked quite well for La Furia Roja who regained possession of the ball through high pressing.
In the 20th minute, it looked as if Spain would add to their lead. Adrian was played in on goal via a superb through ball by Muniain but the young striker was halted in his tracks when the linesman raised his flag on
the far side to signal an offside against the Deportivo man.
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