spain vs italy kick off 8 pm(27/06/2013)

Match Stats

Spain will assess Roberto Soldado and Cesc Fabregas before naming their team.

Both players were substituted against Nigeria because of minor muscle problems, and could be replaced by Fernando Torres and David Silva.
Italy's Alberto Gilardino is expected to take the place of injured striker Mario Balotelli, who will miss the rest of the tournament with a thigh injury.
Ignazio Abate is out, but Andrea Pirlo should recover from a calf strain and Daniele De Rossi returns from a ban.
Reserve goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu is doubtful with a knee injury, while Riccardo Montolivo is fit despite being forced off against Brazil with a head injury.
Italy, who have conceded eight times in their last three games, could switch to a 3-5-2 formation.

MATCH PREVIEW

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque says Italy will want revenge for their defeat in the Euro 2012 final, but on current form it looks more likely that the world and European champions will rub salt into Italian wounds.
Adversity is often said to bring out the best in the Azzurri, who thrive on being written off by critics, and there is no doubt they'll begin as underdogs in Fortaleza.

Highlights: Nigeria 0-3 Spain

Their only striker proven at this level, Mario Balotelli, has been ruled out through injury, as has right-back Ignazio Abate, while key midfielder Andrea Pirlo may not be fully fit.
To make matters worse, Cesare Prandelli's side are enduring their worst defensive run for 37 years, prompting under-fire goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to admit: "I do hope we stop conceding so many goals, as it is not in our nature."
Their only striker proven at this level, Mario Balotelli, has been ruled out through injury, as has right-back Ignazio Abate, while key midfielder Andrea Pirlo may not be fully fit.
To make matters worse, Cesare Prandelli's side are enduring their worst defensive run for 37 years, prompting under-fire goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to admit: "I do hope we stop conceding so many goals, as it is not in our nature."
Prandelli has tried to sidestep questions over the eight goals Italy have conceded so far, insisting "four of them should not have been given," but he concedes his side must raise their game.
"Spain are the best team in the world… They are almost impossible to beat," he says.
With humid conditions again expected in Fortaleza, fatigue is also a concern for the coach: "We have to get into our heads that we will suffer against Spain, that their possession of the ball will be higher than ours".
Spain's opponents have certainly suffered so far in this tournament, with Del Bosque's side scoring 15 times and stretching their unbeaten run to 28 competitive games - a new world record.
It's worth recalling that, prior to their demolition of Italy 12 months ago, Spain were often criticised for a perceived lack of cutting edge and attacking verve. This summer they have used a slightly more attacking line-up, selecting only one holding midfielder (the so-called "single pivot") to make room for a centre-forward.
Del Bosque, ever humble, believes the credit belongs to his players: "We have changed names and you have to adapt to them. The style of play is a photo and then you develop it to the players."