España v Italia (Sunday QF)

kinaldo

Potential classic pitting ugly and cynical Italian football against the artistry and flair of Spanish football.

Build up in Spain has focused on getting revenge for the 94 World Cup QF in which Tassotti left the great Luis Enrique with a bloody nose in their penalty area, before Roberto Baggio hit them on the break to win the game 2-1 in the last minute.



Video can be seen on web page:

http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/eurocopa/espana/es/desarrollo/1136411.html

The two teams recently played out a hard fought friendly that was won by a single goal from David Villa.

Head to head:

From 1920 to 2008

P27 Spain W8 D10 L9 30.77% GF28 GA36 GD-8

My prediction is 3-1 to Spain and Italy unable to get the ball off them.

~Rebel~

With Pirlo out, i cant see past Spain.

prediction; 2-0

the first early, say first 20mins, and the second in the last 20 as Italy push forward.

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV

i can see italy ripping spain apart, who needs pirlo? Aquilani is a wonderkid, amazing, played well for the while he was on last night too. with De rossi and whoever else they pick instead of gattuso i think they will have a great time beating spain. the spanish haven't played vs any good defences yet and Buffon playing the way he is... Spain have a gap/leak in defence which italy will exploit, they are the tactical team while spain are technical.

PHB

Spain are perennial disappointments. However I think they'll disappoint against the Dutch rather than against Italy.

Italy have been poor, the only thing that has gotten them through has been Pirlos amazing passes to Toni.

kinaldo

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV wrote: »

i can see italy ripping spain apart, who needs pirlo? Aquilani is a wonderkid, amazing, played well for the while he was on last night too. with De rossi and whoever else they pick instead of gattuso i think they will have a great time beating spain. the spanish haven't played vs any good defences yet and Buffon playing the way he is... Spain have a gap/leak in defence which italy will exploit, they are the tactical team while spain are technical.

Haha, you think have Italy a good defense? It's no better than Sweden's really. Holland, Romania and even France showed them up to be over reliant on Buffon at the back. Torres and Villa could have a field day. Luca Toni on the other hand has zero confidence and doesn't look like scoring anytime soon. Italy's only realistic hope of winning is if the ref heavily favours them by letting them away with cynical fouls.

Bubs101

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV wrote: »

i can see italy ripping spain apart, who needs pirlo? Aquilani is a wonderkid, amazing, played well for the while he was on last night too. with De rossi and whoever else they pick instead of gattuso i think they will have a great time beating spain. the spanish haven't played vs any good defences yet and Buffon playing the way he is... Spain have a gap/leak in defence which italy will exploit, they are the tactical team while spain are technical.

+1.
Aquilani and De Rossi have the benefit of working together at club level, much like Gattuso and Pirlo and while Pirlo is a big miss, Italy have been creating so much chances in their 3 games that eventually they'll start putting them away.

Spain are also bottlers. End of story

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV

this is going to be some hell of a game!

Charlie

From another thread

charlie mchugh wrote: »

The Spanish defence will get exposed for what it it is, much like the Portuguese one was last night, and will make Toni look like an excellent player. Italy to beat them 3-1.

If I am wrong, you can quote me on this post, and bellow in my face.

tonc76

I think Spain will win this - Italy have underperformed throughout the group stages and beat a poor French team to make the last 8. They are all at sea at the back without Cannavaro and it has been Buffon that has kept them in the competition. With Pirlo and Gattuso missing from midfield and Toni* missing up front they'll have too much to make up against a Spanish side that have quality throughout the squad.

* I know Toni is not missing but he has been for all of the group games

Sherifu

Spain to win it.

TwoShedsJackson

I'd love to see Spain win this but I think the Italians are just contrary enough to dig in and get a result.

Mad Dog

The Italians might just bore this one out although I would like to see Spain through.

gosplan

First unsteady Italian defence in about 20 years - mistakes at the back!! :eek::eek::eek:

This matters more than Pirlo/Gatusso.

But I think Tony will score - he has to at some point, he's had more chances than most teams at this stage

kinaldo

charlie mchugh wrote: »

The Spanish defence will get exposed for what it it is, much like the Portuguese one was last night, and will make Toni look like an excellent player. Italy to beat them 3-1.

If I am wrong, you can quote me on this post, and bellow in my face.

Hahaha, don't worry, I will! I'm confident class will prevail. A 35 year old Panucci and Chiellini will be no match for in-form Torres and Villa. Spain have NEVER had two genuine world class in-form goalscorers at htis stage of a tournament before, which I think people are forgetting. Even if they have an off day they will probably score.

The best preview I have read so far:

http://proxy.espn.go.com/et/corr/corrview?id=164&leagueCup=uefa.euro&cc=5739&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

kinaldo

Spain bt Russia 4-1
Holland bt Italy 3-0
Russia bt Holland 3-1
Spain to beat Italy by 8 goals? :pac:

Mr.Nice Guy

I think Spain will show their class and prove too much. They have such a good opportunity to go all the way if they get past the Italians. Without Pirlo it will be a lot easier for the Spanish to boss the midfield. Torres and Villa should wreak havoc.

I reckon a Spanish win by a two goal margin. Then again I'm 2-1 down with my predictions so far.

Still, come on Spain!

carlop

My heart says Italy but infortunately my head says spain. Italy simply lack strength all over the pitch, even their defence is weak which for Italy is properly a rarity

kenco

Like above the heart says Italy but the head says Spain.

While Spain have consistently blown up after great starts in recent tournaments I think they know that this one is theirs to take. They are also very fortunate to come up against a weakened Italy. Not sure they can deal with the loss of the key midfielders and I would agree that Toni (as he did the world cup) had failed to deliver.

I think however it could be a classic. Some would believe that Italy will sit back and play for a 1-0 or penos but this is not a good idea against the most potent strike force in the competition. I think Italy might go for it and take the chance that Toni sooner or later has to score. If so this could be a high scoring game with two greats trading goals. What ever happens there wont be much in this at the end.

Spain by a single goal. If they do beat Italy then I think they will win the comp as mentally it is a huge step forward

Pyjamarama

Massive Massive game. I'd be surprised if the winners don't come from this one (if Italy win this one would you honestly bet against them!) although Russia could have some say in the matter.

I'm the opposite to the above posts, my heart says Spain but my head says Italy. I just aint covinced Spain have that winning mentality. One thing different this time is that Spain squad seems to be united for once.

Pigman II

kinaldo wrote: »

Spain bt Russia 4-1
Holland bt Italy 3-0
Russia bt Holland 3-1*
Spain to beat Italy by 8 goals? :pac:

Don't be ridiculous! You're including extra-time* there! Spain are only gonna win by 6. :pac:

mike65

Well after 3 variable quarter finals so far I'm hopping this one will be the classic it could be. Unfortunatly Spain are already doomed as the fivelive roving reporter is going to be live from Jamie Carraghers bar with the Spainish supporters, on the previous 3 nights said reporter has been with fans of the loosing side.

Mike.

Malice

I'm hoping Spain win but I have a feeling Italy might sneak it. The loss of Pirlo and Gatusso should be crucial allowing Senna and Xavi to boss the middle.

I'd say the first goal will be vital. If Italy get it, I can see them shutting up shop as Spain get more and more desperate. If Spain get it, I can see them getting a couple more as Torres and Villa run riot.

A Dub in Glasgo

I tipped Spain so that will probably mean Italy winning this one.

Unearthly

Got all my QF predictions completely wrong so far and going to make it 4 out of 4 hopefully as I think Spain will win

CHD

Spain to be the better team and then have a 84th goal ruled out when it shouldn't have been and then the Italians get a lucky penalty in the 89th to win

Frisbee

I really cant see past Spain winning this one.
The Italian defense has looked a shambles at best and I think with Torres and Villa in form they could tear it apart.

Spain 3 - 1 Italy

Drag00n79

I'll go with Italy to win 1-0 or on pens.

gimmick

Italy to win 1-0 meaning its all the group runners up in the semis. Italy Germany final.

That said, I really hope Spain do the job tonight, but I reckon they don't have a snowballs chance in hell. Italy are too wily and crafty. They have the experience of tough situations, which the Spanish have not, and never will have.

Johnny Utah

Would love to see Spain win, but unfortunately I think that they are gonna choke yet again- they are the footballing equivalent of New Zealand in rugby.

mike65

I think contrary to "footballing wisdom" Spain have the best chance if they go "Banzai" rather than try to beat Italy by being sure and steady. That defence has to be got at from the first whistle.

Mike.

gosplan

As regards the above - that's a bit harsh, the Kiwis are like a choking Brazil rather than Spain.

The two important points for me are:

I can't see Italy keeping a clean sheet with Villa and Torres vrs that defence.

I can't see Italy's route to goal. Pirlo to Toni was good but that's not there today. Cassano maybe but he hasn't impressed. About the only thing I can see is Grosso getting forward and putting in good crosses.

Obviously there's other way's they can score but the Italian team today will lack quality.

Basically it's Spain's to either win or lose.