SAINT- MARTIN- DE- RE: Three matches into the European Championship and Spain again is talking about its goalkeepers.
The doubts that surrounded the team before Euro 2016 apparently had been put to rest when coach Vicente Del Bosque named David De Gea as the starter in place of veteran Iker Casillas. But a shaky performance by the Manchester United player against Croatia reignited questions about whether he is the right choice in goal for the two-time defending champions.
De Gea was criticised for failing t o make a stop in Croatia’s winning goal in Bordeaux on Tuesday, an 87th-minute low shot by Ivan Perisic that got past the goalkeeper at the near post.
De Gea outstretched his right leg to try to make the save but was not able reach the ball. Even though the shot deflected slightly off Gerard Pique’s foot, De Gea appeared to be out of position to protect the near side.
The goal gave Croatia a 2-1 win and dropped Spain to second place in Group D, which means that it will have to play Italy in the round of 16 in a rematch of the final won by the Spaniards four years ago.
Some contend that De Gea could also be blamed for Croatia’s first goal, saying he should have done more to try to intercept a cross that allowed Nikola Kalinic to score an equalizer from in front of the goal just before half-time.
{{/usCountry}}Some contend that De Gea could also be blamed for Croatia’s first goal, saying he should have done more to try to intercept a cross that allowed Nikola Kalinic to score an equalizer from in front of the goal just before half-time.
{{/usCountry}}“You only lose if you give up hope,” De Gea said on Twitter a day after the match. “Thanks for the criticism, it motivates me. We’ll keep fighting.”
Del Bosque, who waited until the last minute to give De Gea the starting role in France, defended the goalkeeper.
“We can’t blame De Gea for the goals,” Del Bosque said. “If we lose, it’s everybody’s fault.”