Italy striker Graziano Pelle has hailed goalkeeper David de Gea for his miracle work to keep the score down in Spain‘s 2-0 defeat to the Italians on Monday afternoon.
Pelle netted another late goal following a counter-attack, much in the same fashion as his superb effort against Belgium earlier this monthHe could have added more to his tally, however, had De Gea not been on top form.
The Manchester United goalkeeper, who was picked ahead of Iker Casillas at the start of Euro 2016, showed precisely why he is regarded as one of the best in the world with a string of superb saves.
However, he was at fault for the opening goal as he palmed Eder’s free-kick into Giorgio Chiellini’s path, but Pelle was still amazed by the Spaniard’s performance.
The Southampton striker referred to Premier League meetings with De Gea’s United, the most notable of which saw the Spanish goalkeeper earn his side all three points in a 3-2 league win last September.
“Scoring at the end feels great, but I had also tried in the first half and De Gea performed a miracle. He’s done that to me before in the Premier League too, so I reminded him and we had a laugh,” Pelle told Rai Sport.
“This is my first major tournament and the affection of the fans when we arrive at the stadium is marvellous. We are distant, but close, so I thank the Italy supporters all over the world.
“You might not see it, but we realise they are there. We talk about it in the locker room and know how close the supporters have been to us. Thank you all.”
De Gea made a total of nine saves for Spain in their four Euro 2016 matches and five of them came in the defeat to Italy. Had the Man United man not been on form it could have been an embarrassing defeat for the reigning European Champions.
He kept clean sheets in his opening two games, as Spain beat Turkey and Czech Republic, but after conceding two goals against both Croatia and Italy, he now exits the tournament earlier than expected.
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