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Spain v Italy - Euro 2008 Quarter Final Preview | Help spread the word: Share on Facebook 
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James Couling previews the last Quarter Final tie and believes that of all the sides in the group of death, Italy is the one who Spain would have been best avoiding in the quarter-final.They are world champions for a reason - strong in the tackle and the air, they have one of the few midfields capable of containing Iniesta, Silva and Xavi even with the absence of Pirlo and Gattuso through suspension. Puyol and whoever partners him in defence will face a busy evening keeping Luca Toni quiet, especially as he is due a goal, yet may find more comfort in winning headers against Di Natale, should he start. That said, the Italians are more than wary of Spain’s key players. They have singled Xavi out for special attention and he will be closed down quicker than your local Fopp store, whilst Villa and Torres are more lethal than some of the syringes knocking around Death Row at the moment, and will be looking to take advantage of the Cannavaro-shaped hole in the Italian back line. There are a number of microcosmic match ups all over the pitch, yet the keys may lie with the players who wear the number one jersey for each team. Buffon and Casillas are the world’s two best goalkeepers and will be fully focused on not ‘doing a Cech’. The formbook says Spain yet history shouts Italy for victory in Vienna, La Roja will hope to rewrite theirs and write off their doubters by making it to the semi-finals for the first time since 1984. James Couling Fancy writing for LiveFootball? Click here to find out more. |