Italy | VS
| Spain |
| Date/Time: | Aug 10, 2011, 6:45 pm(GMT) |
| Competition: | Friendly |
| Live/Repeat: | Live |
Italy vs Spain Match Preview
Wednesday’s Italy vs Spain match is one of many interesting friendly encounters in midweek.
Italy vs Spain could be Thiago Alcantara's moment to shine at the senior level.
Cesare Prandelli’s Azzurri are still growing as a team following the end of the Marcello Lippi era. In the biggest news from the Italians’ camp, Manchester City’s troublesome Mario Balotelli was called up to the squad.
After failing in the 2011 Community Shield under the influence of match hero Nani, the youngster might be offered the chance to show his worth against Vicente del Bosque’s World Cup champions. Spain have quickly improved the size of their name in world football since 2008 and they working towards maintaining their supremacy.
But Wednesday’s friendly match may be an opportunity for fringe players to prove that the Spanish national team’s future is bright. Expect Thiago Alcantara to be given an important role against Italy since he might not start for Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. About his chances against Italy, Thiago told Barca’s official club website:
“What I want is to play. I’m ready to play wherever and if I have to play as a winger, in the hole or in midfield, I don’t mind. I’ll play where the boss tells me to. Now I have to keep working hard.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona and Real Madrid won’t tolerate seeing Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Iniesta and company on the field for too long. Remember that the Supercopa de España is just around the corner.
Spain’s squad for the friendly
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Valdes, Reina
Defenders: Iraola, Nacho Monreal, Arbeloa, Albiol, Pique
Midfielders: Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Thiago Alcantara, Xabi Alonso,
Javi Martinez, Cazorla, David Silva
Attackers: Villa, Pedro, Llorente, Torres, Negredo, Mata
Italy’s squad for the friendly
Goalkeepers: Buffon, De Sanctis, Sirigu
Defenders: Balzaretti, Bonucci, Cassani, Chiellini, Criscito, Maggio, Ogbonna, Ranocchia
Midfielders: Aquilani, De Rossi, Marchisio, Montolivo, Thiago Motta, Nocerino, Palombo, Pirlo
Forwards: Balotelli, Cassano, Giovinco, Pazzini, Rossi.
