Having been written off by everyone for the European Championships, Italy’s progress into the final of Euro 2012 has been nothing short of a spectacular fairy tale.
La Roja will be looking to improve on their prior performances in the competition as they take on the mighty Azzurri in the final of this European Championship. The spectacle will be witnessed at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday, July1, in Kiev with kick off at 19.45 (GMT).
Cesare Prandelli’s men faced off the Spaniards in their first group match of the European Championship, with the game ending in a draw courtesy of goals by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Di-Natale-c6306 and Cesc Fabregas.
Spain
Vicente Del Bosque’s men have failed to instill confidence in their fans, following their performances during this edition of the European Championships. Spain have not changed their usual style of play for the tournament, but they have missed the focal point provided by the Barcelona forward, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Villa-c10629.
Villa’s absence, coupled with the form of Fernando Torres, or rather the lack of it, has affected the attacking sting La Roja have had in their previous tournaments.
Another notable absentee who has affected the Spaniards is Barcelona captain, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331, who was ruled out of the European Championships due to an injury.
Puyol’s absence has seen the Spanish defence lack the coherence they usually possess, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique regularly venturing out of their positions.
Vicente Del Bosque introduced the system of false 9 into the Spanish tactics, which does not have a striker. The game is dominated in the centre of midfield with the attack developing from passing and moving into the opposition box.
For all of Spain’s domination during their matches, they have not been able to fill the void left by David Villa. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 has had limited starts in attack, and even though he managed to score a brace against the Republic of Ireland, he has not been able to find confidence in his abilities.
Italy
La Nazionale have had a wonderful tournament so far, and have been going from strength to strength throughout the tournament. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926 was embroiled in controversy at the start of the European Championships, as investigations into the Scommessopoli match-fixing controversy was unveiled and consequently investigated by the Italian authorities.
A number of Italians were alleged to have been involved in the scandal with high profile names such as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gianluigi-Buffon-c14833, Leonardo Bonucci, Antonio Conte with a host of other names involved in the controversy.
The Italian authorities called on Domenico Criscito, the Azzurri left-back, for questioning during their investigations. Cesare Prandelli dropped the player from the squad of the European Championships and there were talks of Gianluigi Buffon and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Leonardo-Bonucci-c22064 being called for the same reason.
There was an extremely negative aura surrounding the Italian national team, with the heavy defeat against the Russians in the warm-up friendly only aggravating the negativity surrounding the Italian camp.
Credit must be given to Cesare Prandelli for uniting the team amidst all this negativity and motivating them to perform to the best of their abilities. Another feather in the cap for Prandelli has been the introduction of a more proactive and attractive style of play for the national team which is a move away from the ultra defensive Italian sides of the past.
The Italians have history books favouring them, and have only lost once in their last seven competitive matches against Spain. That loss came through penalties in the last edition of the European Championships, with Cesc Fabregas converting the decisive penalty for the eventual winners.
Another impressive statistic in the Azzurri’s favour is that Spain have not beaten them in regulation time, with their only win coming during the penalty shootout of Euro 2008.
Italy have remained unbeaten in their progress to the final of Euro 2012.
Team News
Spain
The Spaniards have successfully avoided any further injuries or suspensions for the final in Kiev.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Del Bosque would not be tinkering too much with his squad, and even though they have failed to score, he would still want a tried and tested formation to be set out in the final.
There have been reports of a false 9 formation being adopted against the Italians, but this seems unlikely given the lack of goals scored during this approach by the Italians. Spain have managed to dominate games, but after witnessing the Italians game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904, they would want to bestow the striking duties to a specialist.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604, he is very familiar with the movement and vision of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. He would be one of the favourites to start the match as he provides their dynamic midfield with a mobile and highly skilful striker.
Torres would have been the first choice had he been firing on all cylinders; however, despite his recent form, he poses the biggest threat to the Italian defence with his physical presence. Big players perform their best on the big stage, and you would not hold it past Torres to come good when Spain needs him most.
The formation against the Italians would be the same that Del Bosque deployed against the Portuguese, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Álvaro-Negredo-c5294 making his way to the bench for Torres.
Probable starting line up: Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alonso-c5254, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Torres.
Italy
Italy welcomed back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giorgio-Chiellini-c14963 from his thigh strain, and he put in a stellar performance against the Germans.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Federico-Balzaretti-c13451 in the semi-final.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ignazio-Abate-c16673 suffered from an ankle injury which ruled him out for the last match, but he will shake it off for the finals.
There are a few players who carry minor injuries, like http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mario-Balotelli-c23937 has had problems with his back and cramped his muscles in the second-half of the semi-final against Germany.
Cesare Prandelli would keep faith with the same formation that helped annihilate Die Mannschaft.
Probable starting line up: Buffon, Maggio, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini, Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Montolivo, Cassano, Balotelli.
Players to Watch:
Xavi (Spain):
The responsibility of winning the key battle for Spain in the centre of midfield lies with Xavi, who will come head to head with Andrea Pirlo. If the Barcelona ace loses out in this battle, then http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 will not be able to penetrate into the Italian half with their usual tenacity.
Mario Balotelli (Italy)
The striker has been embroiled in controversy throughout the competition, with many considering him to be the black sheep in the Italian camp (no pun intended). The Manchester City star repaid the faith in him by Cesare Prandelli, and would be fired up for the final of the Euro 2012. He would be a handful for the Spanish defence, given his physical presence and pace.
Prediction: It will be a game won in the midfield, if La Roja are able to out manoeuvre the Italian midfield, then they would have a big chance of retaining their title. However, Italy has been playing with more confidence and have had greater success in front of goal then the Spaniards. (Verdict: 1-2)
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