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Spain
Spain v Italy – THE Match of the Quarterfinals
Comments(50)Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, THE match of the quarters is nearly upon us. A mouth watering, tactical who’s who in the making. Will it be an attacking extravaganza or will they cancel each other out? Will catenaccio return or will this constipated match end up with the hated penalties? Will Spain blow it again or will Italy miss Pirlo, Totti, Gattuso, Nesta, and Cannavaro? In less than 48 hours, we will know. Who wins the battle of the Med?
Now that we have a little time on our hands, let’s preview this clash of titans – player by player.
In Goal – Casillas vs Buffon
Both Goalkeepers are quite similar and fairly evenly matched. Both are fearless with the quickest reflexes around, and are just brilliant at reading the game. Both captains of the ship and passionate about winning. The two best Goalkeepers in the world without a doubt. Casillas fabulous with his feet. Buffon awesome with penalties. IMO, Casillas has not had much to do during the Euros to date, which is a good thing. Nevertheless, San Iker is due for a brilliant game. I go with Casillas, because he’s due for a big game, cuter than Gigi, and because I can (wink). But it is actually quite even.
In Defense – Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila vs Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso
Where to start? Ramos with a poor tournament. His diva-ism and playing with Madrid has gone to his head. Earth to Sergio – wake up! This is not tennis. You are not Nadal. There are 11 players on the pitch, now take your head out of your a**. Puyol is just coming back from injury. I think his foot can finally feel something after Zlatan’s big boots stomped it but good. Yeah thanks man. I’m not sure if he is ready to start. Can he play more than 45 minutes? Not sure. Damn we need his leadership in the back! Will Albiol start? Possibly. Am I happy about two Che in the center of defense? Not really, but it’s all we’ve got. Both are a lot slower than I would prefer and their reactions are a bit iffy. Capdevila, now I know the Italian press claim that he is our weakest link. HAH! Go ahead and believe that at your peril. Beware this boy can score with his feet and is dynamite on the wings!
Zambo – hasn’t had the best season, nor the best Euros. I’m frankly not worried about Zambo or his nice shiny hair. Old Man River aka Panucci and Juve newbie Chiellini are the heart of the backline for Italy. Panucci is a class act, with loads of experience. He is normally a right back, but had to play a good portion of this season with Roma in central defense, so no problem. Plus he loves to score. (Harrumph, Sergio Ramos used to like to score too). Note to Spain: Panucci needs to be controlled. Chiellini is new to these type of tourneys, but has come off a decent season with the bar codes of Turin. Still a rookie. Grosso, has played a solid Euros, IMO. Note to Spain: We need to mark him closely too. His crosses are dangerous.
All in all, pretty evenly matched, both sides kinda shaky, iffy, up in the air. Spain not in top form. Italy not with their top choice backline. Italy will have oodles of fun with Torres and Villa. Spain will have oodles of fun with Luca Toni. Sorry too close to call. Draw? Even Stevens?
The Midfield Battle
OK I am going to start with Italy because it is more predictable, due to suspensions. De Rossi, Acquilani, Ambrossini and Perrotta vs Iniesta, Xavi, Senna, Silva. C’mon Aragones, surprise us! Not! Yes, the mini midfield is in the house and depending on how they perform, they will replaced at half-time by either Cesc, Cazorla, or Xabi Alonso.
Italy is not a midfield of giants, except for Ambrossini, but it will be very interesting to see Italy try to clog the middle and stop Spain from playing their passing game. Our minis need to play that one touch and pass game, at an extremely fast, dizzying, pace. Razzle, dazzle and frustrate the Italians. Let them foul us or rather overfoul us. Hmmm, the Italians have not scored in the Euros from the run of play, only set pieces. We need to use this to our advantage and expose this weakness. We need to continue to shell out those long balls to accommodate our speedy strikers. De Rossi and Acquilani – reasonably good seasons with Roma, especially DDR. They like to take cracking shots from far and DDR is especially dangerous with free kicks. Playing at a tourney like the Euros is new to Acquilani, but still he is a dangerous player. Ambrossini – why is he here? Perrotta – not too worried. He looks a little out of sorts. He has definitely overachieved with Roma and he is used to playing with Totti. Nuff said. Camoranesi is a brilliant player, but has looked tired of late. Not sure if he will start. He is a workhorse no doubt and needs to have a quiet game.
Xavi had a brilliant game vs Russia and is due for another. He is our X-factor and I have a feeling will really shine vs Italy. Silva had a brilliant game vs Sweden. We need him to continue in this fashion. He knows Mara-Villa intimately. They can read each other’s mind on the pitch. Iniesta has not had the best Euros. I still have faith that the Cule can bring it together. He and Xavi have that same relationship that Villa and Silva have at Valencia. Maybe Iniesta is playing injured? I don’t know. We just need him to bring his A game face. C’mon little Caspar, you’re past due. Senna is our work horse, steal balls, foul. Honestly, he’s got a shite load to do to stop the Italian pressure. Some might say that we need two defensive mids vs Italy. But I feel that we need to play our game and attack, attack, attack. If we can get the edge, then by all means bring in Xabi Alonso. But not before then. We will definitely see Cesc and Santi Cazorla in the second half, which is fantastic. Both magicians are very creative and can change a game at the drop of a hat. Midfield battle – Italy will try to foul, trap, clog, etc. We just need to impose our game or win ugly! Battle for the midfield. Spain with a slight edge here, IMO.
Upfront – Golazo Gang
Villa and Torres v Toni and whomever (just kidding – probably Cassano). What happened to playing Quags, Toni and Di Natale? Hmmm… Frankly, I’m glad that it’s Toni and whomever (just kidding – Il Bambino). If Spain gives away set pieces, free kicks, loads of corners – then Toni is your man. I don’t think that will happen. I think we will play it smart and since we have the two of the quickest in form strikers in the Euros, who are gunning for goals, well Spain will find a way. Villa desparately wants, no rather, needs something good out of this season. Anything to wash away the drama and tears from Los Che. Torres wants to solidify his International coming of age. These two are chomping at the bit! Spain with the edge, most definitely.
OK, I am getting a little ahead of myself. No doubt this is going to be a very difficult and painful match. I am ready to suffer. Cesar, Ryan, and I are all extremely nervous. But deep down, we feel that this team has the power and the ability to get the monkey off our back. That maybe this is our year, that something good is going to happen this time, with this team and with a little luck…
Vamos a ganar! Que Viva España!
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 50 comments.
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Portugal for Spain – vamos hermanos!
Spain did it again!We beat Italy at their own game which was the penalty kicks.No more stupid honking from those italian wops.Even when the ref was obviously taking the italians’ side we managed to win, fair and square.
I LOVE YOU ESPANA!
Bravo to Spain and to Casillas! The Italians relied on flooding the box with defenders on each Spanish attack, then were relying on Buffon to save their skins in a Penalty Shootout, nice to see that Casillas beat them at their own game!
Posted from 
United States
MHMMMMM!
Today finally shuts all those cocky Italians the hell UP.
After saying how sure they were that they would win.
Thank you Spain for shutting them up!
Spain had an amazing win and Casillas was honestly breath taking.
Those saves were way better than rat-faced Buffon.
VIVA ESPANA.
They will kick Russia out of the tournament, as they did in their first game.
Great game Spain. They earned this win.
I was impressed by the sportsmanship from both sides. It was a solid battle.
Too bad people like AJ and John exist. They clearly aren’t soccer fans and have a personal, prejudiced vendetta. Dudes, Italian will never take aback seat to hams like you. JOHN I DEFY YOU TO FIND ONE EXAMPLE OF CHEATING IN THIS MATCH. Words can’t describe your ignorance. Easy to talk behind a computer.
As a matter of fact, time to move on from this site. Pathetic losers.
a brilliant night for spain, but more importantly a brilliant night for football
Posted from United States
Bravo Spain! This is a fantastic victory.
The Italians looked alot bigger and taller, and yet the Spaniards were able to hold them down and were alot quicker. Casillas was great, Puyol n Sergio were fantastic in defense. Midfield Senna, Fabergas and Silva were extremely impressive play makers, finding gaps in the Italian defense, especially Silva, he was really exceptional. While Villa was in checked by the Italians, Silva could find space outside the box to fire shots. The Spaniards controlled the midfield.
The ref was horrible, hope he doesn’t officiate anymore games. He just made up his mind that Villa was diving all the time, just couldn’t appreciate the pace and speed of the Spaniards. Wonder how the yellow picked up by Villa will affect his participation in the rest of the tournament. It was matter of time Torres would create something. Thought he shouldn’t be taken off.
Think the long range shots have alot to be desired. Was very impressed with Denis Kolodin in the Oranje-Russia game. He fired dipping rockets way outside. 2nd best to Eder (brazil 82 squad) who could fire rockets that curves. Roberto Carlos???
I felt sorry for Toni. Again, the Italians were looking for his head. If he hasn’t had a touch of the incoming cross, Grosso coming from behind might have buried a goal for the Italians. Comparing Toni and Koller (Czech Republic), both of them are tall but I thought Koller was alot more versatile and accurate with his head.
Spain was the hungrier of the sides. Spain-Russia semi-final game is going to be titanic proportions, both are playing super fast pace attacking game.
Posted from 
Singapore
Viva Espana! Thank God that we were able to overcome the brilliant performance from Luca Toni. Never before have I seen such perfection when it comes to diving. Not only did he earn his team several undeserved free kicks, he also managed to stop several Spanish counter attacks by pretending to be hurt. Truly amazing that we were able to get out of there with the win. All hail Saint Iker.
Posted from United States
As a Portuguese, a little piece of me is jealous to see Spain thru to the semi’s but in the end I am happy for our Iberian brothers. A deserved victory indeed! I’m glad to see the curse of June 22nd is over for you all. Best of luck against the Russians!
Posted from United States
I have never been SOOOO Happy to be So Wrong! Thank You Spain! I will never assume we are losing again! Anything can happen, win/lose, but I will never JUST assume we are losing! VIVA ESPANA!!!
Posted from United States
Que viva España!!!!
Posted from United States
I feel touched by all of your comments celebrating today’s Futbol victory, and I say Futol, because lately Spain has been a good embassador for the most beautiful game in the world. I feel bad for those countries that played well but couldn’t make it far into the competition… Holland, Portugal, Croatia, Romania get my deepest respect and admiration for playing with grace, desire, skills, and unfortunately, not much luck.
In all honesty I believe that Russia, Turkey and Spain deserve to be in the semifinals. In my opinion Croatia is a better team than Germany, or even Turkey… but these Turks play the game with such heart and determination that it’s hard not to cheer for them. I miss England… such is the level of competition in Europe! Let’s not forget that England and Spain decided their Euro 2008 fate in the very last qualification game!
As for Italy, I have to say that I love their passion for the game. Italy always manages to be there, to win the important games, but today, thanks God, was not their day. I hope that some of the Italians will agree with me that “catenaccio” is NOT good for the sport.
Oh boy, I love this game, what a joy to watch!
Posted from United States
I completely agree with Alicia. While walking around, all I can see are Italian flags. Especially when they won against France, holy. In my area the Italians went crazy- Flags and honking everywhere. A line-up of 10 cars with huge Italian flags just went parading. But guess what? Now it’s the Spanish’s turn!
But back to the point, Spain played amazing today. All the players just went full on, especially David Silva and Daniel Guiza. I agree that Torres shouldn’t have been pulled off, but Guiza was a good replacement. I was sweating bullets from beginning to end, but had a gut feeling that Spain was to win, and they did! No more cocky Italians in my faces, eh? Now they’ve got to wait for World cup 2010. So much for commenting on all of Spain’s blogs saying how they were sure of their win, haha!
Spain deserved the win and Italy played much better than I had expected. Good job Spain, perhaps another 4-1 defeat against Russia?
Oh yeah, VIVA ESPANA SIEMPRE!
As an Italy fan, I just want to say that Italy NEVER wants to go to PKs. The shoot-out is definately not “italy’s game”. Italy’s record in Pks is 2 wins and 5 losses. Ask any Italian if they like Pks, and the odds are high for an emphatic NO.
Spain deserved to win today…
Marc Loriau
Posted from United States
Driving in my convertible wacing a massive Spanish flag through little Italy ! REVENGE !
Posted from 
Canada
COMMENT REMOVED BY MODERATOR FOR RACIST OR OFFENSIVE CONTENT
Posted from 
Spain
COMMENT REMOVED BY MODERATOR FOR RACIST OR OFFENSIVE CONTENT
Posted from Spain
COMMENT REMOVED BY MODERATOR FOR RACIST OR OFFENSIVE CONTENT
Posted from Spain
ohhhh porko, you poor thing, if your fellow italians tried attacking a little more perhaps you would have had more chances, but noooo the infamous italian style, wait and break, all match waiting in the back, closing spaces and leaving toni bored up there. Whats a true european nation? can you specify a little more? are you bound to bring your arian race BS? and the ironic part is that you are italian as if you were considered a “true european or true white” lol i see you are brining your ESPN arguments here…..
you are delirious, spain has beaten italy in the last couple matches so suck it up and open your mind, since your eyes seem to not do the job.
Posted from Spain
lol tuscani
you are hilarious, dont you get bored of always coming to the same conclusion, why dont you write it all once and simply cut and paste. Im sure you started posting here once Adepps, under the alias as mario enticed you to post here after finally getting banned from ESPN.
Posted from Spain
COMMENT REMOVED BY MODERATOR FOR RACIST OR OFFENSIVE CONTENT
Posted from Spain
Sorry folks. We didn’t mean to leave Porchetta’s comments up even this long. Moderating them now. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – keep the racial comments off of these blogs, or we’ll take them off for you.
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tonights match was ruined as a spectacle of football by one side, and it wasn’t spain…brilliant that they managed to get through and when they play russian both sides will express themselves
Posted from
United States