Cesc Fabregas: Spain midfielder could start in attack against Italy

Delve deeper

But if you delve a little deeper, it emerges that Spain's last competitive victory over Italy came in their first-ever meeting in the 1920 Olympic Games, with their seven successes since that date all from friendly fixtures.

It should be noted that the Iberian outfit were victorious on penalties against Italy in Euro 2008 after their quarter-final contest ended 0-0 after 120 minutes, but the record books class this as a draw.

Having swept all before them at international level in recent times, Spain entered Euro 2012 as the favourites, a standing they have retained heading into the final despite a perception that they have not hit the heights of previous years.

The absence of star striker David Villa through injury has doubtless hampered Del Bosque's selection, with Barcelona's former Arsenal midfielder Fabregas employed as the focal point of the attack in the group clash with Italy and against France in the quarter-finals.

Fernando Torres remained on the bench throughout the tense semi-final success over Portugal on penalties, with his only goals in the tournament coming in the rout of Republic of Ireland. And Alvaro Negredo started the last-four contest before being replaced by Fabregas early in the second period.

For all the talk of 'false nines' in the Spain camp, Italy have anything but leading their line, with Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli firing the Azzurri through to the final with a brace in their unexpected semi-final triumph over much-fancied Germany.

« Previous123Next »