Spain & Italy- Two masters of the art who yearn for supremacy

Spain vs Italy- It’s like a good old battle of wits, artistry and sheer endurance between the two tested teams filled with some of the most famous wizards of the game. The Conquistadors, with a revolutionary style of play which shook the foundations of the game-play the sport used to idolize, are seen as firm favorites, while the Azzurri have their own fairy-tale to end with a defining win in the final. I’d like to call it a contest to decide the finest unit of wizardry in this beautiful game. Their spell, or rather their principles, cling to the same ethos even when they have a completely different way of implementing them on the big stage. While one relies on its success to help in the period of crisis, the other will seek inspiration from its recent failures; it’s a clash of two contrasting yet typically competitive units.

I won’t dwell much on the tactical battles, pros and cons, players to watch, etc. We’ve already drilled in a lot of that for the past three weeks, and a bit more now as we build up towards the final. However, as we reach the final rounds of any tournament, things tend to divert from the physical attributes to the mental strength of the side. Do you have it in you to win this thing? A question that’s always proven to be a tough one for the German side to answer in a major competition. Spain, in the past few years, and the Italians over the years have never stuttered in making it all the way with little hiccups, only, this time the finals will disappoint one of them.

The Spanish Armada with this lot of players were always going to start as favorites. Although, no team has defended their European Championship title successfully, there’s always been an argument that this might be the side that could finally achieve it. They exhibit team chemistry, as never seen before, and we can thank the Catalan heart of the side for that. We also can’t stop admiring the never-ending hunger the team manages to generate, because even success can prove to be tiring. Even Vicente del Bosque didn’t fiddle with the overall style they’ve been developing with their club sides, and it’s their continuity and consistency that makes adapting to the international game so easy for his side. Lack of interference, and some key enhancements from the coaching staff have finally developed a synchronous winning machine. This team has a possession game so well integrated with their field play that their efforts on the field are largely deceptive; Magic as they say, and who would deny that! Arguments fly that as brilliant as they have been with their brand of football, this Spanish side is now becoming more predictable, consistently boring, and one wouldn’t refrain completely from saying that either.

Spain have been starting to look monotonous, and despite their long run of success, it’s just a matter of ‘when’ we can see those wheels coming off. Del Bosque who has been a methodic architect for so many years is now blamed for overdoing on the tactical front with the introduction of striker-less false-9 oriented formation, and also compensating inventiveness with a tireless horizontal possession distribution on the field; a makeshift ploy which could hurt them anytime soon. The Spanish contingent can only hope that the side can hold on to this impeccable run for just one more game, and become one of the greatest international sides of all time before they can look for alternatives for the future.

The Italians on the other hand started with a clean slate over and again. Right from their early exit from the 2010 World Cup to the latest match fixing fracas in Italy, they have faced everything as they tried to rejuvenate their footballing style on the field. Cesare Prandelli has been instrumental in replacing the negative edgy style of football with a much fresher approach, bringing in a firm intent to score in a more consistent manner. Prandelli has built a sophisticated attacking unit with Italy’s defensive ethos being intact as ever. With Pirlo acting as a perfect anchor, the side has never lacked the attacking rigor. The most resounding facet that has been surprising everyone is their emphasis on ball retention, equal use of central inventiveness, and alternate wing-play in their game. These variants certainly challenged the Spaniards, with one of the most equipped defences in the tournament, during their group encounter. In fact, the first half in that particular contest between the two sides has been the best we’ve seen in the tournament; football that we hope to watch for most of the game on Sunday.

At the end of the day, I want football to win, simply because given the magnitude of the tournament we’ve hardly seen a well fought, non-cagey fight that can create some invigorating vibes throughout the match. Spain & Italy both have the right players to make it an epic battle. The mood, the route, the destiny they want to attain makes the contest even more intriguing. Defending champions Spain; a side devoted to their methods, keen to make it count when it matters, and the challengers Italy; relying on those moments of excellence and incisive play make it a mouth-watering clash one cannot afford to miss. Hope it gives us what we expect from the wizards on their stage.. Magic of course!