Italy V Spain

Just the mere mention of it was enough to wet your appetite! This was the game that would truly test Prandelli's men, and they passed, they showed no fear and attacked the Spaniards when they could. The possession stats would suggest otherwise with Italy with 34% and Spain with 66% but don't let that fool you, Italy poised a general goal threat and they tested Iker Casillas to produce 5 brilliant saves but they did have 11 shots overall. Spain also test Gianluigi Buffon 5 times bet the veteran keeper did brilliantly to keep his cool, and he even had the confidence to nick the ball of Fernando Torres, who looks like a player that is sorely lacking confidence.
Andrea Pirlo was particular impressive and almost dictated the game, but in the early part of the game he did lose the ball and it did seem that he wasn't working as hard as he should! But after Spain started to flex their muscles and they could do that very easily with the talent that they have, he worked harder and he even made a few good tackles in the second half!!
All the talk about Mario Balotelli and his temperament seemed to be unfounded, although he did start to get a little frustrated, and in the end his reputation got the better off him and he got the first card of the night. Balotelli had a chance in the second half to win the game, but after taking the ball from Sergio Ramos he delayed the shot and Ramos had the chance to atone for his error. That was his last contribution and he was substitute for Antonio Di Natale- a man coming off a superb season with Udinese scoring 23 goals in Serie A, and they didn't have to wait too long for him to make an impact as he scored the opener in the 61st minute. But the jubilations didn't last long as Cesc Fabregas scored the equaliser just 3 minutes later. He was left unmarked as Giorgio Chiellini went out of position leaving a gap for Spain to expose.
Chiellini does like to run forward, as viewers of Serie A would know, and he is a bit of a " rugged" defender and he has to learn quick, that he wont be able to get away with his usual forms of defending. The game ended all square with 4 Italian players booked and 3 of Spain's also seeing yellow.
It might have seemed that a draw was a fair result, but as Croatia have pummelled the Republic of Ireland by 3 goal to 1. only wins in the next game will guarantee Italy's progression.
FORZA AZZURRI!!!