Clash of styles

When Italy meets Spain, it will be a clash of styles. Good old sit back defend and attack on counter will meet modern possession-based tiki-taka game. Italy were dubbed as one of the weakest teams in the run up to the tournament, however, they surprised one and all with their performances against Belgium and Sweden before losing to Ireland in the last group fixture. The loss is attributed to way too many experiments and changes made by the coach Antonio Conte. He rested many key players, which is said to be one of the reasons for the loss. However, against Spain, he will recall the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and others. Antonio Candreva was injured in the previous fixture but reports suggest that he will be fit. He and Alessandro Florenzi will be the wing backs in the Conte’s favoured 3-5-2 formation. Graziano Pelle and Eder will team up front with Thiago Motta, Marco Parolo and Emanuele Giaccherini in the midfield. Chiellini along with his Juventus teammates Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli will be the defence with veteran Buffon between the sticks. A cause of concern for the Italians is that the likes of Chiellini, Bonucci and Thiago Motta are on yellow cards, if they pick one more booking in the match, they will be suspended for the next fixture. If the Italians manage to pip Spain, they will likely face Germany in the quarters and would need the services of all the three. Meanwhile, the defending champions are reeling from the shock defeat against the Croats in the group stages. Having suffered a shock group stage exit in the World Cup, the Spaniards have their eyes set on the Euro Cup. With their veterans in the twilight and youngsters knocking o the doors, Spain has an exciting bunch of players. Coach Vicente Del Bosque barely made any changes to their playing style; they still look to control the possession and play the famed tiki-taka. With Alvaro Morata, the tournament’s joint top scorer up front and with the likes of Nolito and David Silva on the flanks, they have a potent attack. However, Silva is nowhere near his best and if not for the reluctance of the coach to rotate the team, he would have paved way the likes of Pedro. Same can be said about Cesc Fabregas, who was lackluster and dismal in the midfield for Spain in the group stages. He could have been easily replaced with the likes of Thiago or Koke. Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta were at the top of their game and they would look for a repeat performance and try and control midfield. The Achilles heel for the Spain is their defence, though Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique are world class talent, they are known to crack under pressure. The full backs Juanfran and Jordi Alba are attack-minded, leaving lots of space for the opposition to counter. Having said that David De Gea is imperious between the sticks and it would take a truly spectacular effort to beat the Manchester United talisman. I would go for the tightly contested match which would be decided in the penalties.