Italy clash with Spain in the fourth and final quarter-final of the Euro 2008 finals on Sunday and the two titan matches are already getting loads of hype already. Italian international defender Christian Panucci has been a regular for Roberto Donadoni’s somewhat struggling side in the competition but the AS Roma right back is convinced that Italy can get past the Spanish challenge.
Spain have been exquisite and hugely entertaining so far in the competition while Italy only came into the fore when they convincingly beat France in their last group match to qualify for the last 8. Panucci though says that Italy do have the strength to resist the Spain strikeforce comprising of Fernando Torres and David Villa.
He says:
“Torres and Villa are strong that’s obvious. Benzema and Henry were supposed to be a strong strike force but look what happened there. Me and Chiellini are doing really well at the back and I think he will be one of the best defenders in the world very soon.”
Spain and Italy have a long standing animosity between them both inside the confines of football as well as outside it. The titan clash between them is certainly going to be massive.