vs

This is perhaps the biggest quarterfinal derby on EURO 2008. Old rivalry will be revived on Sunday night. Although Italians have an excellent tradition against Spain, that doesn’t mean a thing. Judging to what we saw from Red Fury so far , Spain will start the match as slightly favoured.

However they did have easier rivals than Azzurri but also the possibility to rest their starters in group D third game, against Greece. In the match between equal rivals, where details decide, better physical shape of Aragones’ players can be crucial.

After a disastrous opening defeat against Netherlands, Italy managed to get hold of the second round from the "death group": they won France in a knock-out match. This boosted their morale sky-high though they price was also, Gattuso's absence is not so much of a handicap as Pirlo's is.

The creator of the national squad and Milan play will be missed in the squad that shows lack of creativity. Donadoni will probably insist on tough play and attacking wingers which is Italian strongest weapon. Still, Toni’s inefficiency is another reason for worry.

The preparations show that Azzurri are somewhat afraid of Spanish fantastic attack. Chiellini and Panucci will face serious challenges against Torres and Villa.

Head-to-heads

Spain and Italy have played each other on 27 previous occasions. Spain have won eight, Italy nine and there have been 10 draws.

In competitive matches, Spain have been less successful winning just one out of nine. Italy have won five times and there have been three draws. Spain's sole competitive victory was in the very first match between the two, a 2-0 win at the 1920 Olympic Games.

The two teams have played each other twice at European Championships, drawing 0-0 in a group phase match in 1980 and Italy winning another group match 1-0 in 1988. Italy head coach Roberto Donadoni played in the latter of those games.

Spain have not lost to Italy in their last four encounters since a 2-1 defeat in the 1994 World Cup quarter-finals. Donadoni also played in that match.

Team facts - Spain

Been knocked out of major tournaments on three occasions on 22 June, all three after a penalty shoot-out. Lost against Belgium at the 1986 World Cup, England at Euro 96 and South Korea at the 2002 World Cup. Their only other international on 22 June was a 3-2 friendly win against Italy in 1930.

On a streak of nine straight wins and will break their best ever international winning run with a victory against Italy. Their previous streak of nine straight wins was ended by Italy in 1927.

Victory will see them break their record for longest winning streak in competitive matches (seven).

Team facts - Italy

The last two reigning world champions from Europe went on to the final of the next European Championship. Germany finished runners-up in 1992 and France won Euro 2000.

Player facts - Spain

Used 22 of the 23 players in their squad at Euro 2008 with only third choice goalkeeper Andres Palop missing out.

David Villa is Euro 2008 top scorer with four goals. He is now Spain's record goal scorer at the European Championship with four goals, and also top scorer for Spain at European Championships and World Cups combined with seven goals.

Carlos Marchena, Daniel Guiza and Álvaro Arbeloa will miss a possible semi-final match if they receive a yellow card against Italy.

Player facts - Italy

Alessandro Gamberini and Marco Borriello are the only outfield players yet to play for Italy at Euro 2008.

Alessandro Del Piero can play his 13th European Championship match, which will equal Italian record holder Paolo Maldini.

If Del Piero scores, he will become the first Italian to score in four different major tournaments (European Championships and World Cups).

A yellow card for Gianluca Zambrotta will equal the record of six yellow cards at European Championship finals, set in Spain's last group match by Giorgios Karagounis of Greece.

Zambrotta will face his FC Barcelona teammates Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso are suspended for this match having received their second yellow cards of the tournament in Italy's last match, against France.

Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele De Rossi, Luca Toni and Zambrotta will be suspended for a possible semi-final match if they receive a yellow card against Spain.

Probable Line Up :

Spain : I. Casillas, Capdevila, Marchena, Puyol, Ramos, D. Silva, Senna, Xavi, Iniesta, D. Villa, F. Torres

Subs : A. Palop, J. Reina, X. Alonso, F. Navarro, Juanito, D. Guiza, C. Fabregas, S. García, R. Albiol, S. Cazorla, Arbeloa, De la Red

Manager: Luis Aragonés

Italy : Buffon, Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso, Camoranesi, Ambrosini, De Rossi, Perrotta, Del Piero, Luca Toni

Subs : A. Cassano, Gamberini, M. Materazzi, M. Amelia, M. De Sanctis, A. Di Natale, F. Quagliarella, M. Borriello, A. Aquilani

Injured : Barzagli

Suspended : A. Pirlo, G. Gattuso

Manager: Roberto Donadoni

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