Cesare Prandelli says that his Italy side ‘have the weapons to make life difficult for Spain’ in tonight’s Confederations Cup semi-final.
The Azzurri line-up against their Euro 2012 Final victors on Thursday evening in Fortaleza for a place in Sunday’s tournament final against hosts Brazil.
For their Coach, there is reason to be optimistic.
“I repeat what I told my players [in training],” Prandelli began to reporters at his pre-game Press conference.
“In my time in charge of Italy we have faced Spain three times. We won in a friendly in Bari, then drew in the Euro 2012 group phase and lost the Final in Kiev.
“We have the utmost respect for them, but we have the weapons to make life difficult for Spain. We need courage and character.”
Italy are speculated as changing back to a three-man defence to counter Vicente del Bosque’s men.
“We need to take our opponents into consideration. The fact that we are changing doesn’t mean we are struggling, but just that we have some new ideas.
“There is no perfect system that gives you the certainty of beating Spain.
“We know they will keep possession, but we have to play the way we did in the second half against Brazil. That is how we will stay in the game.
“Spain play with strikers who do not give reference points and attack the space. We play in an attacking manner because we have quality players, not because we take inspiration from Spain.”
