It's a blood-stained rivalry as Spain tackle Italy

Monday’s meeting of Mediterranean superpowers brings together familiar enemies, it will be the sixth time Italy have met Spain at the finals of the European Championship, making it the most played fixture in the contest.

This will be their fourth Euros encounter since 2008.

Italy beat Belgium and Sweden in their group, before losing to Ireland.

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini recognises the shift in momentum and says that it is now Spain who are Italy’s “bogey team”.

“The beginning of their golden period coincided with their win over us in 2008. It was only in Kiev [the 4-0 defeat in the Euro 2012 final] that we weren’t able to give them a game, we hadn’t been able to recover from our game against Germany,” he said.

The had already secured their progress thanks to Eder’s late winner against Sweden in Toulouse.

Head to Head
Italy’s last competitive victory against Spain was a 2-1 victory in the quarters of the 1994 World Cup. Azzurri coach Antonio Conte started that tie.


Since then, Spain have lost just one of 11 games against Italy (including friendlies), winning four and drawing six (two penalty shoot-outs counted as draws).

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque does not see the need to change anything ahead of La Roja’s clash with Italy.

Italy: Team News

Conte rested a number of players in the last group match against the Republic of Ireland. The likes of Buffon, Chiellini, Bonucci, Eder and Daniele De Rossi will be called back.

Antonio Conte, the Italy manager, has been working hard on a strategy to overcome Spain in Paris.

Antonio Candreva is the only player sidelined with injury.

Italy: Predicted line up (3-5-2)

Buffon – Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli – Darmian, Giaccherini, De Rossi, Parolo, Florenzi – Eder, Pelle.

Spain: Team News

Del Bosque has no injury concerns or players missing through suspension and he is expected to field the strongest possible line-up after rotating his squad in the 2-1 defeat against Croatia on Wednesday.

Sergio Ramos had a penalty saved against Croatia but seemed to be over his decisive miss.

Spain: Predicted line-up (4-3-3)
De Gea – Alba, Ramos, Pique, Juafran – Busquets, Iniesta, Fabregas – Silva, Morata, Nolito.

Italy vs Spain: Prediction
But, unpredictability is the beauty of football, and I believe this game could tip towards either sides. But there is a 60 percent chance for Spain to make quarter finals, let it be after extra time and penalties.