Italy vs Spain, Quarterfinals, Euro 2008, Sunday, June 21

Spain have not met Italy in a competitive fixture since USA '94, which they lost 2-1 to the Azzurri,.

Italy has won the last 88 times they have met in Official matches( not counting Friendlies) back to 1920 !!!!!!

But Italy did not look good in a loss against Holland 3-0, and a disappointing tie with Romania 1-1,

and only partially redeemed themselves in a must win against France 2-0.

Fabio Cannavaro is injured and out. Inzaghi, for some reason was left off the squad.

Gattuso and Pirlo will be absent fro this game because of Yellow Cards.

Luca Toni and Daniele De Rossi will be Italy's biggest threats.

Also Antonio Cassano, who has a very bad rep in Spain due to his torrid time in Madrid, will want to prove himself.

Italy midfielder Massimo Ambrosini believes sub Alberto Aquilani will not disappoint

David Villa and Torres are the two best twin strikers in Europe.
Spain is the Winner of its Group D, (Russia, Sweden Greece),

and the ONLY Group winner to advance to the Quarter Finals.!!!!

The 3 other Group winners were beaten and eliminated ( Holland, Portugal, and Croatia)

Keep in mind: Spain beat Russia 4-1, Russia Beat Holland 3-1, Holland beat Italy 3-0 . Food for thought !!!!!!!!

Judging by their recent form, Spain are everyone's favourites to come through victorious and send the World Champions home.

The belief is that the only way to get at Spain is to press them all over the pitch, which is the absolute opposite of Italy's traditional "Turtle" Defensive posture.

Aquilani Will Shine - Ambrosini

Italy and Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini believes Alberto Aquilani will not disappoint when the Roma midfielder starts against Spain in Sunday's quarter final.

Goal.com

6/21/2008

Roberto Donadoni has had to experiment during training this week as his Italy side take on Spain without their influential midfield duo of Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso.

Aquilani has been drafted into the middle and he will play alongside Daniele De Rossi and Ambrosini.

The Milan man believes his Giallorossi team mate will prove his worth against Luis Aragones' side.

“Aquilani has the look of someone who is very focussed on the game and on the task in hand,” Ambrosini told Calciomercato.

“He has his chance and he will know what to do with it.”...

It's set to be a classic encounter and all eyes will be on Italy as they attempt to prove their World Champion status by going all the way in the European Championship.

Salvatore Landolina

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=746218

Villa On Toni, Buffon And Revenge

Spanish striker David Villa says: "When the ball starts rolling tomorrow nothing that's happened before is important.

"All that is not going to help Italy or damage us, all that is in the past. Tomorrow (Sunday) is a new match, it's simple - if they want to beat us they have to play better than us. All we have in our minds is to defeat Italy."

Villa credited his form to his return to full fitness: "At one stage of last season I wasn't in good shape, I missed a few games. But I came here in the best physical shape of my whole career, it's helping me quite a lot.

"I'm taking advantage of all the chances that come my way, Spain have good players who create these opportunities for me."

Opposition striker Luca Toni has enjoyed an incredible season at club level but has misfired so far in Austria-Switzerland, but Villa insists he will be a threat: "Luca Toni is a player who creates chances, we'll have to be really alert to him. We'll have to keep a close eye on him."

And of the man who has arguably been Italy's best player so far, penalty saving hero and captain Gianluigi Buffon, Villa added: "Gianlugi has great unique qualities. He plays a big role in the national team. He has the confidence of the coach and organises the game.

"From the former generation he's one of the best - he's got lots of charisma and is a leader, that spills over to his teammates. Look at what he did against Romania."

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=746102