Hunting for the company. Italy arrives at the first "in or out" of its European championship in the presence of the reigning champion team, Spain which, in 2012, took the cup right against us. Compared to 4 years ago many things have changed but not the starting hierarchy: today as then, in fact, it is the Red Furies who play as favourites.
“If we use reason we lose, we have to go further and bring out everything we have – the thought of Antonio Conte. – Something extraordinary will be needed to achieve the feat, it's a game without a tomorrow. We have great respect for Spain but we have prepared ourselves, we want to play it without regrets or recriminations. The boys and I have no desire to go home”.
The risk is actually high, even if it must be said that even our adversaries would have preferred to avoid us. In fact, the eighth most evocative of those seen so far will be staged at Saint Denis, so much so that, if everything weren't so damned serious, one would smile to think that Belgium, beaten in the direct match a few days ago and qualified behind us, he eliminated Hungary and will find Wales in the quarter-finals.
A much luckier scoreboard than ours, more like Russian roulette (those who play tonight find Germany the world champion) than a European football championship, but that's it, so it's pointless to complain: the only certainty is that one of Italy's and Spain will be forced to pack up.
“We have a lot of respect for the Azzurri, we are teams of the same level and there are no favorites – thought Vicente Del Bosque. – It makes no sense to make comparisons with 2012, that's a whole other story. I don't see big differences in physical condition or game, great attention will be needed."
However, it is clear that, at least on paper, Spain is starting with all the favors of the forecast. The technical rate is very much on their side and even the experience of people who are used to playing for Barcelona or Real Madrid cannot be compared to ours. Conte will try to play it with the usual intense and organized football, in the hope that, at the right moment, his feet will be able to do what his brain asks.
Unfortunately the coach will have to do without Candreva, one of the fittest and potentially dangerous men for Del Bosque's Spain, very good at getting the ball around but a bit distracted in the defensive phase. In his place will be Florenzi, in the third different role in 4 games played. For the rest, the blue 3-5-2 is essentially decided: Buffon in goal, Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini in defense, Parolo, De Rossi, Giaccarini and De Sciglio (favorite over Darmian) in midfield, Eder and Pellé in attack.
No doubts instead for Del Bosque, ready to confirm the usual 4-3-3 with De Gea in goal, Juanfran, Sergio Ramos, Piqué and Jordi Alba in the back, Fabregas, Busquets and Iniesta in the midfield, David Silva, Morata and Nolito in the offensive trident.
In addition to the Spanish champions, our players will have to pay attention to the cards: there are 10 Azzurri who will play with the sword of Damocles of the warning. They range from defenders (Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini) to midfielders (De Rossi and Thiago Motta), passing through forwards (Eder, Zaza and Insigne) up to the reserve goalkeeper (Sirigu). Big names, which if disqualified would weigh heavily in the eventual quarter against Germany. However, we will only think about this in the late evening: first we have to beat the Spanish armada, a mission which, if successful, would enter the history of our football by right.
