Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has told his side not to fear Spain ahead of tomorrow’s Euro 2012 final in Kyiv.

 

The meeting between the Azzurri and La Roja is a repeat of an earlier clash between the two in the group stage; on that occasion Italy and Spain played out a 1-1 draw in a game which caused headlines to be written about Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque’s decision not to play a recognised striker.

 

Now the two will lock horns once again, but this time the stakes are much, much higher.

 

And while facing Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup winners Spain in such an occasion could intimidate many sides, Prandelli has told his team that they must not fall into this trap.

 

"It will not be easy because Spain have been playing together for years, they won the last Euros and the World Cup and they are in the final again", Prandelli told UEFA.

 

"We had a great first half against Spain [in the group stage] and we must do that again", insisted the former Fiorentina coach.

 

"We must keep our balance, that is the secret. If we can deploy our resources in the right way, then we have a chance. We need to show the right spirit but we must also have the right ideas.

 

"But it is not just about keeping our shape, it is also about attitude. We must not fear them, we are here on merit and now we have the desire to go all the way and give everything to win."

 

Latest Features: