Italy can learn how to beat Spain from Croatia

Using a fast-paced style of play and maintaining pressure on the opponent's defenders and midfielders will be the key for Italy to solve the difficult problem in the round of 16.

The Blues have not beaten Spain in a competitive match for 22 years, the last time they did so being a 2-1 win in the 1994 World Cup quarter-finals.

At Euro 2012, Italy drew 1-1 with Spain in the group stage. However, when the two teams met again in the final, Vicente Del Bosque's team showed their superiority and won 4-0.

With Eder and Graziano Pelle up front, Antonio Conte hopes Italy can press centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique from a distance. Nikola Kalinic did just that in Spain's 2-1 defeat to Croatia, with both Ramos and Pique making mistakes.

The Italian team during a training session on June 23. Photo: Gazzetta.

One thing that has made Italy confident that they can take advantage of a fast pressing tactic is the inconsistent form of goalkeeper David De Gea. The Manchester United star has failed to live up to his potential for the club and has been embroiled in a scandal ahead of the Euros.

Although De Gea did not play well, in his recent statement, Vicente del Bosque did not seem ready to bring Iker Casillas back to the main squad. Therefore, the Spanish central defender duo will be forced to choose a safe option, instead of a few risky situations to create opportunities for their teammates above. Because the absolute trust like when they had a Casillas at his peak behind them is no longer there.

Italy’s right flank, with Antonio Candreva, will be a hot spot in the upcoming clash. Candreva is a player who can apply constant pressure and he can limit Jordi Alba’s attacking potential. Italy can also learn from Croatia’s previous game in disrupting Spain’s ball circulation.

Spain had trouble because of Croatia's fast pressing style of play. Photo: Reuters.

Former player Martin Keown predicts a 1-1 draw and Italy will win on penalties. Ramos' missed penalty against Croatia was the third time in the last four times a Spanish player has failed when given a chance to score from the penalty spot. Therefore, the prediction that Del Bosque's players will fall on penalties is not without basis. Even though in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008, they defeated Italy on penalties.

Not stopping there, the penalty in the match against Croatia also made many people suspect internal conflicts in the Spanish team. The Italian newspaper Gazzetta pointed out that the ball was initially in the hands of Cesc Fabregas but then Ramos fought for the kick. Iniesta admitted that he also wanted to take the penalty but gave up when captain Ramos took responsibility.

When asked about this, Del Bosque replied: "I let the players decide who takes the penalty. They are the main characters on the field, not me. There is nothing better than a coach who sets a strategy that makes the players comfortable. I never force anyone to do anything. If there is a penalty in the match against Italy, it will be the same, penalties are something you cannot control."

Ramos' missed penalty shows the problems within the Spanish national team? Photo: Reuters.

When it comes to internal strife, perhaps the issue with Pedro is giving Del Bosque the biggest headache. The Chelsea player has publicly expressed his frustration at having to sit on the bench. A few days ago, the press published a statement from Del Bosque, saying that Pedro had apologized for his complaints. However, when asked about this, the 28-year-old striker confirmed that he had not apologized at all.

Another unsavory incident involving the Spanish player was the suspicion that Pique, a Catalan, raised his "middle finger" during the Spanish national anthem during the match against Croatia. However, the Barca midfielder later denied it, saying he only cracked his finger.

According to VNE