Italy forward Lorenzo Insigne ended David De Gea’s six-game unbeaten

run in the Spain goal in a 1-1 friendly draw on Thursday that gave

Azzurri fans hope for this summer’s Euro 2016 in France. 

Spain, who thrashed Italy 4-0 in the final of the 2012 European

Championships, were on a seven-game winning run that had seen Manchester

United ‘keeper De Gea keep a clean sheet in their last six outings.

But Vicente Del Bosque’s men were sorely lacking creativity and

failed to produce a single shot on goal in the opening half of a game

for the first time since meeting Belarus in a World Cup qualifier in

2013. 

Italy coach Antonio Conte had deployed a largely experimental 3-4-3

but after some early teething problems the 46-year-old coach, who will

quit after this summer’s showpiece in France, must have been buoyed.

Insigne replaced Inter Milan striker Eder shortly after the restart

and finished off a great move to toe poke past De Gea on 67 minutes,

although Italy’s joy was short-lived.

Only three minutes later 35-year-old Athletic Bilbao striker Aduriz

slammed the ball into the roof of the net from a yard out when Gianluigi

Buffon spilled Juventus teammate Alvaro Morata’s header from a free

kick.

Conte said: “I’m very satisfied with the lads’ performance, especially as we changed the tactical formation.

“They put into practice a lot of the things we worked on in recent

days. I don’t want to talk about objectives for the Euro 2016. All we

want to do is give it everything we have, and above all not to leave the

pitch with any regrets.”

Italy midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini was one of several players to

benefit from Conte’s quest to inject youth and energy into his new-look

side.

After a solid performance he admitted: “I’ve played against Spain

four times in the past five years and, to be honest, I’ve never seen

them playing like that.”

Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta, however, was quick to remind:

“These are our last two friendlies before the Euro, and we want to

prepare as best as we can.

“We’re the defending champions and we want to defend our title, even if we know it won’t be easy.”

It was a sluggish start at Udinese’s newly-refurbished Stadio Friuli

but Lazio winger Antonio Candreva was particularly lively, keeping De

Gea on his toes early on when his cross came off the post and then

forcing the ‘keeper to parry his long-distance drive.

Graziano Pelle was the centrepiece in Conte’s three-man attack but

when the big Southampton striker held off Gerard Pique to set up

Florenzi on the corner of the area, the Roma right-back’s low cross was

straight at the ‘keeper.

Italy were into their stride and Candreva’s high, deflected cross found Emanuele Giaccherini unmarked on the edge of the box.

The Bologna man, given an ovation for a solid night’s work when he

was replaced in the closing stages, hit a crisp volley that looked to be

goalbound but it took a deflection off Mata.

Spain threatened briefly when Aduriz collected Eder’s mis-hit

backpass to set up Morata on the left but the move was flagged offside,

while at the other end Pelle controlled well to set up Eder for a soft

volley that De Gea collected.

Del Bosque made two changes for the start of the second half with Mata and Ramos replaced by Koke and Nacho respectively.

But Italy were soon in control. Eder was bundled off the ball after a

promising run through the middle but on the follow-up his inviting

cross had Spain in a panic as Marco Parolo powered in to header.

Insigne took little time to make an impact after he replaced Eder on

51 minutes, finishing off a great move by Giaccherini to force De Gea

into action at his near post. From the corner, Leonardo Bonucci’s header

from the corner went just wide.

Minutes later, Insigne had fans on their feet at the Friuli when he

slid in to send Giaccherini’s cross past De Gea at his left post. 

Juve’s defence was at fault when Morata drifted in behind to get his

head to a free kick minutes later, and when Buffon couldn’t hold, Aduriz

was quick to the rebound.

Italy enjoyed the lion’s share of chances in the closing period, when

De Gea had to tip over a cheeky lob from Insigne and, with the added

zip of Juventus striker Simone Zaza, were unlucky not to snatch the win

that would instill confidence ahead of Tuesday’s away game with world

champions Germany.