Morata: Italy have best defence

Spain striker Alvaro Morata has hailed Italy’s own ‘BBC’ as the best defensive unit in the world ahead of Monday’s Euro 2016 second-round tie.

Italy’s centre-back trio of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, sharing the same initials as Real Madrid’s ‘BBC’ forward line, have played together for Juventus since 2010 and represented their country for the same length of time.

“In these two years, I’ve learned more than I previously did in my entire life,” Morata, who had spent the last two years at Juve before rejoining Madrid earlier in the week, told Marca.

“Scoring goals in Italy is much more difficult. They are experts in defending.

“In Spain, you get seven clean chances to receive the ball and score. In Italy, you have only a few clear balls and must hit the target to score.

“Italy are always competitive and, like teams in Serie A, scoring goals against them is very difficult.

“[Buffon] is great in one-on-ones like Iker [Casillas]. He’s a legend in world football.

“[Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini] are the best defenders in the world for how they defend. Teams don’t want to play against them.

“When they play together as a three, it’s almost impossible to score a goal.”

Tags Alvaro Morata Euro 2016 Italy Juventus Spain
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