Pity is not a feeling that footballers want to feel. Not even poor Giovanni Di Lorenzo, right-back of the Italian national team. But there was enough reason for it that evening. For just 25 seconds, there was no need to worry about him. Immediately after kick-off, Italy had a throw-in and Di Lorenzo threw the ball out of play. A minute later, he was already in the pose he would adopt so often that evening: he was hurrying after Spain’s Nico Williams.
Pedri headed Williams’ first cross just over the bar. A minute later, Williams ran slalom against several Italians, and in the tenth minute he headed just wide himself. Álvaro Morata had moved to his side and crossed. Everyone was allowed to go up against Di Lorenzo, the Spaniards immediately sensed that something was happening, and it continued like that. When the knot in Di Lorenzo’s legs was completely tied, 15 minutes had been played. The meme potential in this unequal duel was quite rightly recognized. How long will he dream about this washout? Di Lorenzo’s best moment: when Nico Williams was substituted.
