Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma admitted that Italy made too many mistakes in their 0-1 loss to Spain at Euro 2024, but emphasized that their fate remains in their own hands.

In the pivotal match in Group of Death at Euro 2024, Italy suffered a 0-1 defeat against Spain. This result made the path to progression difficult for the reigning European champions. After the match, captain Gianluigi Donnarumma candidly shared his thoughts on his team’s performance.

Donnarumma acknowledged that Italy made too many errors in this game. He told reporters from RAI Sport and Sky Sport Italia, “We made too many mistakes in simple passes and didn’t show the required quality. When you make so many mistakes, you get punished.”

The match at Gelsenkirchen didn’t go according to the script that coach Luciano Spalletti had hoped for. He had anticipated his team would take control, but the reality was completely different. Spain dominated possession for most of the match, forcing Italy to play defensively at various points. Despite Donnarumma’s outstanding saves, they ultimately suffered defeat after an unfortunate own goal by Riccardo Calafiori.

Despite the setback, Donnarumma remains optimistic about Italy’s chances to progress. He stressed, “Italy’s destiny is still in our hands; we can’t consider this a complete disaster. We have a lot to do before facing Croatia, but I believe we can do it.”

Indeed, securing a point against Croatia in their final match will be enough for Italy to secure second place in the group and advance to the Round of 16.

Donnarumma also pointed out the weaknesses in Italy’s game, noting they lost possession too easily and struggled to maintain control. “In the last 10-15 minutes, we played better, forcing them to retreat, but we should have done that earlier. If you let Spain control the game, they will explode,” he commented.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper also acknowledged Spain’s strength, saying, “Spain is a great team; we all know that if you let them pass the ball around, they will harm you.”

Statistics after the match showed Spain had 57% possession compared to Italy’s 43%. However, Donnarumma felt this statistic didn’t accurately reflect the game, as Spain continuously pressured Italy’s defense throughout the match.

Despite the defeat, Donnarumma expressed determination for the final match. He declared, “We are angry, but we have to turn this determination into strength for the last match.”

This loss dropped Italy to second place in the group standings, while Spain secured their place in the Round of 16 as group winners. However, Italy still has a chance. Even if Albania beats Spain, Italy still holds the advantage in head-to-head records.

Italy will face Croatia in their next match at 9:00 PM on June 24th. This will be their last chance for coach Spalletti’s team to prove they deserve the title of reigning European champions. With the determination and confidence shown by Donnarumma, Italian fans can hope for a better performance and a positive result in this decisive match.