Not Nolito or Morata but Jordi Alba...
Senin, 27 Juni 2016 - 21:38 WIB
Not Nolito or Morata but Jordi Alba...
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SAINT DENNIS - There will be a distinct feel of a latter-stages encounter, or even a final, when Spain and Italy meet in Saint-Denis on this evening.
The final venue of Euro 2016 also hosts the last-16 clash between two sides that have dazzled for large parts of the group stage, but ultimately only one will pass through to the quarter-finals.
Spain dispatched Czech Republic and Turkey with great style to set the pace in Group D, only for a largely self-inflicted defeat to Croatia on matchday three condemning them to finish as runners-up.
As arguably the toughest group in the tournament, whoever awaited was in for a shock, and Italy have been aware of the rather pyrrhic nature of winning Group E since it was confirmed after just two games.
The Azzurri, too, lost their last group game after a similar run to La Roja saw convincing, battling wins over Belgium and Sweden before Antonio Conte's much-changed side lost to Republic of Ireland.
Injuries and Suspensions
Conte will have to make do without Antonio Candreva as the Lazio winger's hamstring complaint will keep him out of action for at least the Spain game, with Federico Bernardeschi a doubt.
Leonardo Bonucci managed to avoid a second yellow card of the tournament against Ireland, and nine further Azzurri players enter the game with the threat of suspension hanging over their head.
For Vicente del Bosque, a full Spain squad remains available for selection, only defender Sergio Ramos holding a booking to his name.
History
Meeting in Paris almost four years to the day after Spain's rampant 4-0 Euro 2012 final win over Italy, La Roja also knocked out their rivals in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals.
Spain have only lost to the Azzurri on one occasion since falling in the 1994 World Cup to a late Roberto Baggio goal, winning 11 and losing eight of their 30 meetings.
Player to watch: Jordi Alba
In the face of Italy's three-man central defence, making use of the flanks to stretch Conte's troops and craft openings will be integral to a Spanish victory.
So far in France, Barcelona man Alba has been an unsung hero in bursting down the left-wing to support attacks but will also have a job on racing back to deal with incisive Azzurri breaks.
The final venue of Euro 2016 also hosts the last-16 clash between two sides that have dazzled for large parts of the group stage, but ultimately only one will pass through to the quarter-finals.
Spain dispatched Czech Republic and Turkey with great style to set the pace in Group D, only for a largely self-inflicted defeat to Croatia on matchday three condemning them to finish as runners-up.
As arguably the toughest group in the tournament, whoever awaited was in for a shock, and Italy have been aware of the rather pyrrhic nature of winning Group E since it was confirmed after just two games.
The Azzurri, too, lost their last group game after a similar run to La Roja saw convincing, battling wins over Belgium and Sweden before Antonio Conte's much-changed side lost to Republic of Ireland.
Injuries and Suspensions
Conte will have to make do without Antonio Candreva as the Lazio winger's hamstring complaint will keep him out of action for at least the Spain game, with Federico Bernardeschi a doubt.
Leonardo Bonucci managed to avoid a second yellow card of the tournament against Ireland, and nine further Azzurri players enter the game with the threat of suspension hanging over their head.
For Vicente del Bosque, a full Spain squad remains available for selection, only defender Sergio Ramos holding a booking to his name.
History
Meeting in Paris almost four years to the day after Spain's rampant 4-0 Euro 2012 final win over Italy, La Roja also knocked out their rivals in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals.
Spain have only lost to the Azzurri on one occasion since falling in the 1994 World Cup to a late Roberto Baggio goal, winning 11 and losing eight of their 30 meetings.
Player to watch: Jordi Alba
In the face of Italy's three-man central defence, making use of the flanks to stretch Conte's troops and craft openings will be integral to a Spanish victory.
So far in France, Barcelona man Alba has been an unsung hero in bursting down the left-wing to support attacks but will also have a job on racing back to deal with incisive Azzurri breaks.
(rnz)
