In the preview of the semifinal duel that will face Spain and Italy, we will analyze the eleven best Spaniards who played in the Italian league.
Next, our XI (3-5-2):
Reina in his last game with Napoli / Nicolò Campo / Getty Images
Reina is champion of everything with the Spanish team and has won many trophies with Liverpool, Bayern and Naples. He showed his best years as a goalkeeper in England, but his undoubted ability also came to light sporadically in Italy.
Good grief, what a photo, Cesar Gómez and Iván Helguera, mega posters of As Roma pic.twitter.com/4RQ7s8wVs3
– George Olmos (@George_Olmos) April 12, 2016
After a great career in Spain starting in the Real Madrid youth academy and going through clubs such as Valladolid or Tenerife, in the last years of his career he signed for Roma. He did not show the same level as in the Spanish league.
Iván Helguera trying to avoid a Chilean from Trezeguet / Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
The one that was player of the Real Madrid did not triumph much less in the Calcio. Admittedly, the vast majority of players in the Spanish league struck their teeth to arrive in Italy.
Raul Albiol playing a match with Napoli / Francesco Pecoraro / Getty Images
Luis Enrique has been widely criticized for not taking Raúl Albiol to the European Championship. The Spanish footballer had some incredible years at Naples. Now he develops the last years of his career at Villarreal where this year he has managed to win the Europa League.
Luis Alberto playing for Lazio / Danilo Di Giovanni / Getty Images
The Lazio player has entered this eleven as a reward for his good years that have not been rewarded in the form of a call from the Spanish team. Other footballers such as Fabián Ruiz or De la Peña could also have entered, but Luis Alberto’s performance in Serie A has been outstanding.
Josep Guardiola. at Brescia / Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images
He was never the same footballer that one day he was at Barça, but he had some good years at Brescia. It is one of those players who will be even more remembered for his incredible coaching career.
Mendieta in a match with Lazio / Grazia Neri / Getty Images
He arrived at Lazio with the poster of hero and star of a Valencia that had played a great role in the previous Champions League. The Spanish player did not manage to adapt at any time and the irregularity prevailed in his first season.
Borja Valero playing one of those last games with Fiorentina / Gabriele Maltinti / Getty Images
His years at Fiorentina were incredible. There he shared a dressing room with the footballer that we will discuss below. By playing less time in Spain, his career will not be so recognized and perhaps he will go down in history as a more discreet player than he really has become.
Joaquín playing a game at Fiorentina / MARCO BERTORELLO / Getty Images
Joaquín was lucky enough to have a great career in Italy. He is one of the few Spanish footballers who has triumphed at Calcio. He is an idol in Florence.
Luis Suarez / Keystone / Getty Images
The only Spanish golden ball in history also had a good run in Italy. The legendary Barça and Deportivo de La Coruña player played for several years at Inter Milan where he did it wonderfully.
Morata in the quarterfinal match of the Spanish team / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
Although he is the player who receives the most criticism in the world, it is undeniable that his role at Juventus over the years has been incredible. Great players like De la Peña or Pedro are left out, but Morata should be there.