‘Spain deserved their victory’, admits Federico Chiesa

Italy

's world record 37-match unbeaten run ended by Spain as

Ferran Torres

was on target twice to secure a 2-1 victory over the European Champions at the San Siro stadium in their Nations League semi-final on Wednesday.

The Azzurri, who beat Spain in the Euro 2020 semi-final in July, were reduced to 10 men before the break after

Leonardo Bonucci

grabbed his second yellow card.

Federico Chiesa

, who set up Italy’s only goal for

Lorenzo Pellegrini

, admitted that it was Spain who deserved the victory.

“We lost after many games, we set a world record, so in the end it had to happen. As everyone said over the last few days, it had to happen eventually,”

Chiesa told

.

Italy had been unbeaten since October 2018, with a run of 28 wins and nine draws.

“Congratulations to Spain for a really good performance. We could’ve been more clinical at times, but Spain deserved their victory.

“We always have enthusiasm, determination and running to the very end for Italy and our coach. It’s the first defeat, but this won’t stop our momentum and we look forward to the next match.

“Obviously, it’s tough down to 10 men and Spain were already playing well when we had 11. Nonetheless, we had two really big chances in the first half and then conceded an avoidable goal on the stroke of half-time which allowed Spain to come out after the restart feeling really comfortable.”

Bonucci received the first yellow card for dissent, then he was sent off for a second yellow card after elbowing Sergio Busquets.

“I thought the dismissal was very severe, because I’ve never seen at international level such a pointless yellow card for dissent,”

continued Chiesa

.

“He was the captain, it was a mistake by the referee because the Spain player simply slipped, so the captain has the right to ask for more information.

“I’ve never seen two such soft yellow cards at this level.”

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