EURO 2012 FINAL it's Spain vs Italy

[Grim]

EURO 2012 FINAL
SPAIN VS ITALY




Pre Match
July 2, 2012
NSK Olimpijs'kyj — Kyiv (Kiev)
Referee:‬ Pedro Proença‎

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque is expected to have a fully-fit squad for the Euro 2012 final showdown with Italy.

The 61-year-old's biggest selection dilemma is likely to be over whether to field a recognised striker after Alvaro Negredo's anonymous performance in the semi-final win over Portugal.

With Fernando Torres seemingly out of favour, and with Fernando Llorente yet to make an appearance at the tournament, Cesc Fabregas could be restored to a 'false nine' role up front alongside Andres Iniesta and David Silva.

Italy defender Ignazio Abate, who missed the semi-final win over Germany with a muscle injury, is likely to return to fitness in time for the final, while fellow full-back Christian Maggio is also available after serving a one-match ban.

Coach Cesare Prandelli may persist with the same formation that served him well against the Germans rather than revert to the unorthodox 3-5-2 line-up used in the opening match against Spain.

AC Milan-bound Riccardo Montolivo is likely to keep his place in the team ahead of Thiago Motta after an assured performance in the semi-final.

PROMO VIDEO

Spoiler!

ROAD TO THE FINAL

Spain

Spain conceded the only goal of their Euro 2012 campaign against Italy in their tournament opener, subsequently moving through Group C with wins over the Republic of Ireland and Croatia. They coasted by France in the quarter-finals before overcoming Iberian rivals Portugal in the semi-finals on penalties, but have been effective rather than spectacular.

Italy

Italy have looked untroubled throughout Euro 2012, opening their campaign with a respectable draw against Spain in Group C before a draw with Croatia and a victory over the Republic of Ireland. They needed penalties to deservedly edge past England in their quarter-final before a surprisingly comfortable win over Germany to book their place in the final.

TACTICS

Spain

Yards of column space have been dedicated to Spain's tactics, with Vicente Del Bosque favouring a 'false nine' system - relying instead on his side's quality in midfield - in three of Spain's five matches in the tournament. It has made for some frustrating watching for many; Spain have dominated possession in each of their matches but have struggled to convert that into goals. Only against the Republic of Ireland did they truly show their attacking verve, with Fernando Torres scoring twice in his only start of the tournament. They also struggled to break down a disciplined Portugal in the semi-finals. But Del Bosque's side have reached the final regardless, and few will care about the perceived dullness of Spain's play if they successfully defend their European crown.

Italy

Cesare Prandelli has a welcome tactical dilemma ahead of the clash against the reigning champions, who they went close to beating in their Euro 2012 opener. The 3-5-2, which worked so well on that occasion, has since been replaced by a 4-1-3-2 to great effect, and the latter is likely to be persisted with now that Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini are both fit. Andrea Pirlo, touted as a leading contender for player of the tournament, is the deepest-lying of the midfielders, who when attacking shape as a narrow diamond, with Riccardo Montolivo at the point. Italy look most threatening when Pirlo takes possession in his team's attacking half, while Daniele De Rossi is more than capable of receiving the ball deep and playing out if Pirlo is marked.

WEAKNESSES

Spain

Portugal showed how a disciplined approach can stifle Spain in the semi-finals, closing down the reigning champions early in possession to keep them from building substantial attacking moves. Del Bosque has put his faith in his midfield but - as good as the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and David Silva are - Spain have missed the cutting edge of injured striker David Villa.

Italy

Italy could be their own worst enemy in the final, particularly if they fail to take their chances. No team has had more attempts [55] on goal at this tournament than Prandelli's men, but netting just six times is a worry. Mario Balotelli is a match-winner but can be profligate when provided with an opportunity, while questions remains over who else can score for Italy.

STRENGTHS

Spain

Teams cannot score without the ball, and trying to win possession from Spain is one of the toughest tasks in football. Xavi, Silva, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets form Euro 2012's best midfield, and it has been reflected in their dominance of possession. Even with Andrea Pirlo, Italy gave up 62 percent of possession to Spain in their group encounter.

Italy

A strong, compact defence and fluid midfield are Italy's strengths. The back four - or three - and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon are reliable and Vicente del Bosque's men are sure to find creating clear-cut chances difficult. The flexible midfield, led by Pirlo, has an excellent understanding and work to provide space and cover for each other when need be.

STAR MAN

Spain

If Barcelona needed any convincing of Jordi Alba's quality, they have got it during Euro 2012. The 23-year-old will move from Valencia back to Barca - the club of his youth - after the tournament, and has shown he is move than capable of filling the club's problematic left-back position. Damaging when marauding forward but capable of getting back when he needs to, Alba has been the standout for Spain.

Italy

Pirlo has not only been Italy's star performer, but one of the shining lights in Poland and Ukraine. Rejuvenated after being let go by AC Milan at the end of the 2010-11 season, the 33-year-old helped Juventus to the Serie A title in his first campaign with the club. Pirlo's skill, poise and composure on the ball complement his ability to pick out long and short passes, while his set-pieces are also dangerous.

[Blitz Ace]

whoa! nice!... hope Italy win

[Brook]

I say Spain will get this again...

[_Kira Yamato_]

Forza italy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rayleigh]

I hope Italy wins this. We all know how Spain plays, and for some of us, it gets boring.

[Grim]

I hope Italy wins this. We all know how Spain plays, and for some of us, it gets boring.

I dont understand people who say it's boringm they are playing agressive attacking football... it's opponents who play against them go into defenceve play. One of those teams that can actualy pass ball around and if only Spain had Messi we would see goals more often tho It's also a class, non other country can play it and is it succesful? fosho

[Rayleigh]

When one team has a corner kick and returns the ball to the goalkeeper, I don't like that. That's not football. But it's just my opinion, so it doesn't matter what I say.

[_Kira Yamato_]

dude all Spain do in this tournament is pass the ball around all over the pitch, and just because Spain has more possession it doesn't mean the opposite team is playing defense against them, how they gonna attack if they don't have the ball ? so of course they played defense to take the ball back, and when the opposite team get the ball like in the match against Italy and Portugal, they rush their way forward and start attacking the defense and they actually hurt them they don't keep the ball for too long, they go for the goal, so its spain who played boring in this euro, don't you see the whistle from the crowd in Donetsk when Spain started their so called tiki taka ?

Spain started to bored me in 2010 when they won the WC seriously that was the most boring campaign for the champion in WC historyunlike in 2008 when they actually show attractive and fast football play, this time they just pass the ball around the penalty box, i bet they're looking for messi

[Grim]

I dissagree.. this euro 2012 it indeed is little dissapointing but only because they dont have scorer like Villa. But if you look the same game as Barcelona... it is enterteining

[Blitz Ace]

I hope Italy wins this. We all know how Spain plays, and for some of us, it gets boring.

agreed.... they get the ball attack for awhile go back and start again... kinda ruins it but yah u have to score against Spain then maybe, just maybe they'll keep on attacking