Spain Coach Vicente Del Bosque believes Spain and Italy are on a similar level and doesn’t believe club success is a telling factor ahead of the friendly.
The countries meet on Thursday in Udine and Del Bosque was asked about Spanish success in the Champions League and Europa League compared to the Italian experience, with no Serie A clubs in the latter stages of continental competition.
“I don’t think the fact there are six Spanish teams in the final stages of the Champions League or Europa League, and Italy doesn’t have any, will influence the game,” he said, AS reports.
“We all know Italy’s level as a team. They always reach the final stages of major competitions, historically.
“It’s true Spain has had hegemony in recent years, winning two European Championships and a World Cup, but I don’t think there’s much difference between one team and the other in that Italy has no teams in Europe and Spain does.”
Italy and Spain met in the final of Euro 2012 as La Roja romped to victory to retain the trophy won in 2008, with Del Bosque reflecting on the 4-0 triumph.
“In that game it might be we reached our absolute, Italy arrived physically weakened and we did everything right,” he acknowledged.
“We had the initiative, we created chances, we were able to turn them into goals, and I would also point out we did it starting without any forwards.
“Italy at this Euros? They’ve been drawn in the only group with two seeds, themselves and Belgium.
“We’re going to France to defend our trophy, and therefore Spain go with the highest aspirations. Our goal is the maximum.
“But there are very good national teams and we’ll see what happens. But Spain are going for the maximum.”
