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Azzurri aim to halt Spanish march
by Richard Aikman from Vienna
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Donadoni has asked his players to enjoy the
quarter-final (¿Getty Images)
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Italy coach Roberto Donadoni knows his side must take care
of the pace in Spain's attack when the teams meet in the last UEFA EURO
2008T quarter-final in Vienna on Sunday - but is urging his players to
"enjoy themselves" on the ultimate stage.
Friendly encounter
Having conceded four goals in the tournament so far, the Azzurri will
next try to thwart the feared strike force of David Villa and Fernando
Torres, who shared five goals between them as Spain won Group D with a
perfect record. Although Donadoni recognises the strengths of a side that
beat his own 1-0 in a March friendly, he is confident Italy can build
on Tuesday's Group C victory against France by prolonging an undefeated
run in competitive matches against Spain stretching back 88 years.
Spanish praise
"We played Spain recently and they are a great team," the coach
said. "They haven't always done well in big tournaments but this
will spur them on, so we must be just as motivated as them. They are not
very physical but they have great pace. We've learned a lot from each
other but you can't compare a friendly with the quarter-finals of a EURO.
And we have our strengths too. The boys must remember to enjoy themselves,
because to enjoy yourself you have to play well. If they do that they
can achieve anything."
Conundrum
Although Donadoni insists the Azzurri will not alter the way they play,
one conundrum looms large for the 44-year-old, and that is how to replace
Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso. Both AC Milan midfielders, who played
so well in the triumph over France, are suspended for the Ernst-Happel-Stadion
encounter. Massimo Ambrosini should return while Pirlo's place could go
to AS Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani - a decision Donadoni will only
make on the morning of the match. Italy's sole injury concern since their
last outing is the knee problem that has ended defender Andrea Barzagli's
tournament.
Perfect record
Spain coach Luis Aragones also concedes he is in a quandary over team
selection but for very different reasons. While Italy lost their first
group game and drew their second, La Roja have a 100 per cent record in
the finals so far. The same XI won their first two matches, against Russia
(4-1) and Sweden (2-1), before Aragones made ten changes for Wednesday's
2-1 defeat of holders Greece. On the eve of Sunday's contest, the 69-year-old
said he has "no team in mind". He is, however, sure of victory.
'Convinced'
"I am convinced we will win," he asserted, as Spain aim to put
six UEFA European Championship quarter-final defeats behind them. "I
have no doubt these players are ready to give 110 per cent. We have to
think positively, and this side is doing just that. My glass is half-full
and inside I am sure we are going to go through." Aragones, who cites
Fabio Grosso and Luca Toni as potential danger men, will be buoyed by
defender Carles Puyol's return from a foot injury and now believes Spain
can lift the Henri Delaunay trophy for the first time since 1964. "I
believe this squad can put an end to our problems once and for all,"
he concluded.
Euro2008.com,
22 June 2008
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