In the just-concluded European Championship semi-finals, Italian striker Federico Chiesa broke the ten-finger mark of Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon to open the scoring for the team. Counting this goal, Chiesa Jr. has scored three times in a row in direct encounters with Simon.
The last time the two played each other was on the first matchday of the 2019 U21 World Cup, when Italy beat Spain 3-1, with Unai Simon as Spain's starting goalkeeper, and Chiesa Jr., who was also the starting player, received two assists from teammate Barrera to complete the second goal.
Many players from both sides are now playing for the national team: in this European Championship, in addition to Chieza Junior and Barrera, goalkeeper Merritt, defender Bastoni and midfielder Locatelli were in the squad at the time; Oyazavar, Fabian and Olmo of the Spanish side' current national team were all involved in the U21 World Cup.
(Editor: Yao Fan)
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