Italy coach Luciano Spalletti opted for a midfield change at halftime of their Euro 2024 opening match against Spain, substituting Jorginho with Bryan Cristante.
This decision came after a challenging first half for Italy, which saw them fall behind to an own goal.
Jorginho, a mainstay in the Italian midfield since their Euro 2020 victory, struggled to exert his usual influence on the game.
Spalletti, in his post-match interview with Sky Italia, explained the substitution, stating that Jorginho “needed to be more proactive in collecting the ball and initiating attacks.”
While acknowledging Jorginho’s past contributions, Spalletti emphasized the need for a more dynamic performance in the center of the park.
The switch in midfield tactics reflects Italy’s search for solutions to unlock the Spanish defense in the second half, which ultimately proved unsuccessful.