Ahead of their last-16 clash in Paris on Monday, Italy and Spain UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.
To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
ITALY – Colin Scicluna (Teacher, Dubai)
I am still scratching my head trying to understand how Italy have got such a tough draw while England play Iceland! However, this is the nature of tournament football and with Italy, nothing is surprising any more.
After the inconsequential loss against Ireland, we play Spain, the team that walloped us 4-0 four years ago in the Euro 2012 final. Although pessimism is rampant, as always in Italian football, Antonio Conte’s side have given us enough so far to believe that it will be a decent fight. David De Gea looks off his game and Sergio Ramos is not his usual assured self.
Conte will revert to the majority of the team that did the Azzurri proud against Belgium with high pressing, hard work and a mix of patient defending and fast breaks. Graziano Pelle needs to be ruthless in attack and Daniele De Rossi really needs to take Andres Iniesta out of this game. We need another solid performance from the Juve triad and of course a big dose of luck.
The main concerns at this time are that Antonio Candreva might not make it due to injury, which means that Roma’s Alessandro Florenzi may get the nod. Also, will the Ireland break prove to be a good rest or will a bunch of rusty old pensioners take a half to straighten themselves out come the Spain game? Needless to say, whatever happens, we are already very proud of this team.
PREDICTION: Italy 1-1 Spain (Italy to win on penalties)
LIKELY ITALY XI: Buffon, Chielini, Bonucci , Barzagli , Florenzi, Giaccherini, De Rossi, Parolo, El Sharaway, Pelle, Eder.
ITALY PLAYER TO WATCH: Eder – The Inter Milan forward has shown glimpses of skill so far at Euro 2016 but it’s time he showed a bit more consistency. We really need him to be on top of his game.
SPANISH PLAYER TO FEAR: Andres Iniesta – He really is a fantastic footballer who has shown at Euro 2016 that he is very much alive and kicking. Will needs to be closed down extremely well.
WHERE TO WATCH: It will be a hot date at Barasti; I know the Spanish will be there too and they are great fans so it will be good fun.
Antonio #Conte stops for photos with the fans as the side prepares to leave for #Paris. #ITAESP #EURO2016 #ITA pic.twitter.com/1nzkvSolmA
— Italy (@azzurri) June 26, 2016
SPAIN – Borja Burguillos (Global Strategy Manager, Dubai)
Spain have been well and truly punished for their failure to beat Croatia as we must now play against one of the strongest nations in the competition in the last-16. The Azzurri defied expectations to beat Belgium and top their group and I don’t think we should read too much into their defeat to Ireland.
The defeat to Croatia was really a disappointing result and I think we showed real complacency after scoring the first goal.
However, Vicente del Bosque is a good coach and I think he will have the players ready for this game against Italy, determined to atone for their mistake.
Italy are one of the most tactical teams around, probably the best one in fact, but I don’t think they will find it easy to score against Spain as they don’t have the quality players they once did like Andrea Pirlo or Francesco Totti.
Overall I think Spain have enough to repeat the result of the Euro 2012 final, though not the score – it will be a major shock if it finishes 4-0 again! Italy will try to stop Spain by playing hard but I think La Roja have far more quality going forward and this will be the difference.
PREDICTION: Spain 2-0 Italy
LIKELY SPAIN XI: De Gea; Juanfran, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Fabregas, Iniesta, Silva; Morata, Nolito,
SPAIN PLAYER TO WATCH: Andres Iniesta – He was incredible against Turkey and it is time for Iniesta to show again that he is Spain’s leading man and a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or.
ITALY PLAYER TO FEAR: Gianluigi Buffon – One of the best goalkeepers of all time, Buffon will be key for an Italy side that is expected to be defensive. The veteran will be determined to keep former Juventus team-mate Alvaro Morata at bay.
¿Qué ha dicho @Thiago6 en rueda de prensa? ¡Aquí tienes lo más destacado! # VamosEspaña https://t.co/c5IR3T03in
— Selección Española (@SeFutbol) June 25, 2016
