Venue: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna Kick-off: Tomorrow, 7.45pm On TV: RTÉ Two, BBC 1:SPAIN head into a fascinating quarter-final clash with Italy tomorrow night knowing well that history is not on their side. Italy are nothing if not a bogey team for the Spanish, who have not beaten their Mediterranean neighbours in a competitive game since 1920.
Even if many rate Spain favourites for tomorrow's game, given the contrasting tournament starts made by both sides (Spain beat Russia 4-1, while Italy lost 3-0 to the Netherlands), Spanish coach Luis Aragones is aware of the historical precedents. Not surprisingly, he argues this could be a match won in the head as much as on the pitch:
"What I want from my players . . . is complete and utter conviction that we are going to win. Any side which wants to defeat Italy requires total self-confidence.
"Given all my years in football I know one thing for sure - the guy who goes out totally convinced that he's going to win is far more likely to play positively. If one guy has negative vibes then the whole group can suffer from that too."
When the two sides met in a March friendly in Elche, Spain, it was the Spanish who carried the day thanks to a virtuoso goal from striker David Villa, the leading goal scorer at the tournament. His side will be much fresher than the Italians since they were able to field a largely reserve side in their third game, a 2-1 win over Greece. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas, defenders Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol, midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta, as well as strikers Villa and Fernando Torres all return, having been rested for the game against Greece.
In contrast to Aragones, Italian coach Roberto Donadoni will be without midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso, both suspended. Massimo Ambrosini and Mauro Camoranesi, who came on as substitutes in Italy's 2-0 win against France, are expected to replace Gattuso and Pirlo in an otherwise unchanged team.
- Paddy Agnew
