Spain vs Italy Euro 2012 Preview – Who will take the Euro 2012 crown – Spain or Italy?

The Euro 2012 Fian stage is set for the latest dance of Spain vs Italy. Will Spain pull off the miraculous feat of winning three major tournaments in a row, or will the Italian underdogs continue their amazing rise from their ashes?

The Italians have upset the odds already, and at 15/1 before the tournament the Azurri are looking like a great bet.

Italy advanced to Euro  2012 final through sloppy play at the back and a lack of willingness to change tactics on Germany’s part. Unfortunately for the Germans, this was the match in which Mario Balotelli decided to display his brilliance, opening the performance with a header and sealing the deal with a brilliant strike before the whistle blew for the half. Italy refused to hunker down and defend in the second, continuing to pour forth in search of goal. In the end, Germany pulled one back through a penalty converted by Mesut Özil, but, somewhat improbably, the azzurri were through to take on Spain.

And now for its biggest challenge — showing the world that this wasn’t all just a fluke. Or, even if it was, that the fluke can continue on through the final, and allow them to break down the side that has, thus far, proved to be unbreakable and deadly. yes deadly boring

The Spanish haven’t looked at their scintillating best this time around, and yet we say that about a team that have not conceded a single goal in Euro 2012 and Cesare Prandelli’s men have looked a lot more dangerous than people had anticipated.

Here are all the stats, facts and key battles for the Spain vs Italy Euro 2012 game…

Spain vs Italy Euro 2012 Final : Key Battles

Andrea Pirlo v Xavi

Andrea Pirlo is undoubtedly the form player for Italy and has been awarded the man of the match award a staggering three times this tournament. The veteran midfielder has been pulling the strings to great effect for the Azurri since the start of the competition. No side has felt it necessary to man mark the skillful playmaker, but they have all played the price. Xavi, like his opposite man, has been running the show for Spain, dictating play with his precision passing. The Spaniard has strung 465 successful passes to Pirlo’s 320. Both are legends of the game and their performances may determine the outcome of the game.

Cesc Fabregas v Leonardo Bonucci

It is difficult to know what line-up or formation Vincent del Bosque will play on Sunday evening, but after a disappointing performance from Alvaro Negredo against Portugal it is likely Cesc Fabregas will start in the “fake No.9” position. Cesc has scored two goals this tournament and has always looked threatening when he is on the field. Scoring the winning penalty against Portugal may just give him the confidence to put in a match-winning performance in the final. Leonardo Bonucci will have to have his wits about him if he is to deal with the incessant movement of Spain’s midfield maestros. Fabregas is an intelligent footballer and will inevitably find space in behind the backline for one of his like-minded colleagues to slip him the killer ball. The Italian may have his hands full and will have to play out of his skin to keep the Spanish at bay.

Mario Balotelli v Gerard Pique

Mario Balotelli was in spectacular form in Italy’s semi-final with Germany. The striker was strong when holding up the ball and the German defence didn’t know how to deal with his movement, as was seen with both of his goals. The 21-year-old is infamous for his unpredictability, but he has grown in stature and seems to have matured since his side’s opening clash of the tournament with Spain. Gerard Pique was part of a Spanish defence that kept out an in-form Ronaldo in the semi-final, but at times looked unusually shaky when put under pressure. ‘Super Mario’ spent large parts of the semi-final hassling the German centre-backs so Pique will have to show more composure. He will need to be alert to Balotelli’s movement and be prepared for a physical battle because if the big striker gets any space he will surely not be caught dawdling as he was by Sergio Ramos in the first clash between the two sides.

Andres Iniesta v Claudio Marchisio

Claudio Marchisio put in a top-notch performance against Germany, passing the ball well and demonstrating high energy levels when harrying the opposition midfield. His role will be crucial for Italy in the final as he closes down the Spanish and tries to break up their hypnotic passing game. His main concern will be Andres Iniesta. The attacking midfielder is one of the hardest players in the world to mark, thanks to his intelligent movement, and was the only player to really cause Italy problems when the two sides met in the group stages. In order to nullify the main strength of Spain’s attack, Marchisio will have to work hard to track Iniesta and not allow him to slip into the pockets of space he can so devastatingly exploit.

 THE Spain vs Italy game STORY SO Far

Spain finished top of Group C. Their opening game was a 1-1 draw with the Italians followed by a 4-0 hammering of Ireland. Their last group game was a less than convincing 1-0 victory over Croatia. In the quarter finals they dispatched an unimpressive French side 2-0, before overcoming neighbours Portugal in the semi-final on penalties.

Italy were runners-up in Group C behind Spain. Despite suffering pre-tournament set backs and it being suggested they had a week team, Cesare Prandelli’s men put in an impressive performance in their opening game, drawing 1-1 with Spain. Their second game was a 1-1 draw with Croatia and their progression to the knockout rounds was secured with a 2-0 win over Ireland. In the quarter finals Italy beat England on penalties and then in the semi-finals they gave a superb performance to overcome hotly favoured Germany 2-1.

 Stats and Facts on Spain vs Italy Euro 2012 Final

The top three players for each side at the tournament so far, according to the official Euro 2012 Castrol ratings:

Italy: Mario Balotelli 9.38, Claudio Marchisio 9.33, Gianluigi Buffon 9.02

Spain: Gerard Pique 9.54, Xabi Alonso 9.48, Andres Iniesta 9.43

Mario Balotelli has had 14 attempts on target, the most of the two sides.

Andres Iniesta is close behind on 13, although the Spaniard hasn’t hit the back of the net yet while Balotelli has scored three.

Spain, unsurprisingly, dominate the passing statistics, with three of the top four playing for Los Rojas. Xavi tops the charts with 455 completed passes at a pass completion percentage of 85 per cent. Xabi Alonso is second with 416 passes at 83 per cent.

Andrea Pirlo is third in the charts having completed 354 passes with a pass completion percentage of 77 per cent.

If Mario Balotelli can add to his goal tally he could very well win the Golden Boot outright. At the moment he is tied level with several other players on three.

Spain have three players on two goals: Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres. If Fabregas does start in his “false striker” role he will surely be looking to add to his tally and compete with Balotelli.

David Silva leads the assist charts with three while Andrea Pirlo is just behind him on two.

Spain vs Italy Euro 2012 Final : Team Line – ups

Spain : (4-3-3) Casillas , Jordi Alba , Gerard Pique , Sergio Ramos , Alvaro Arbeloa , Xavi Alonso , Busquets , Xavi , Andres Iniesta , Fabregas , David Silva

İtaly : (4-4-2) Buffon , Chiellini , Bonucci , Barzagli , Abate , De Rossi , Marchisio , Pirlo , Montolivo , Cassano , Balotelli

Referee : Portugal’s Pedro Proenca will take charge of the Euro 2012 final between Spain and Italy in Kiev tonight

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