In Sync, But Not Quite

In response to South Korea's doubts, Italy quickly announced their starting lineup for the next match against Spain.

Ceballos, Soguer, Colber

Lu Yang

Versace, Moric

Scamacca, Nagy, Pirola, Florenzi

Audi

You could say Italy had not held back, but nearly all the highly rated superstar players in this squad were resting.

If Audi and Florenzi were taken out of this lineup, it would be terrifyingly young.

Even as it was, this was very likely one of the youngest squads in the World Cup in terms of average age.

But if you said Italy was throwing the match and deliberately letting Spain win... how would you explain Lu Yang and Moric, the team's two core players?

The Koreans were left speechless for a moment, unsure from what angle they could even lodge a complaint.

Maniero later said in an interview that this was an inevitable part of the Italy National Team's generational transition.

They needed to give more young players the chance to experience and perform in meaningful matches.

As for what price they might have to pay for that experience, that was Italy's own concern. The Koreans did not need to worry about it.

The argument was perfectly reasonable.

Surely you could not demand that they undergo a generational transition without letting the next generation play.

Maybe they just liked doing their transition in a proper, orderly manner?

What the hell did it have to do with you!

For Spain, this was the best possible outcome.

Many fans genuinely hoped Italy would rotate their entire lineup. Whether Moric played or not did not matter; the key was getting Lu Yang off the pitch too.

But Spain's players did not see it that way.

They wanted to advance to the next stage fair and square.

Not by relying on their opponents