Don’t write off the Italians
For the first time in a long time, Italy go into the Quarter-Finals of a major tournament as underdogs when they meet Spain in Euro 2008 tonight. That makes them a dangerous proposition. Roberto Donadoni’s side may have scraped through to the last eight only thanks to Romania’s inability to beat Holland’s second XI, but that’s no reason to write them off.
Italy’s path to a final rarely runs smoothly. In 1982, they nearly crashed out to Brazil only for Paolo Rossi to rediscover his scoring touch. In 1994, they lost their opening match to the Republic of Ireland only to reach the Final; and at the World Cup two years ago, a draw and sending-off in their second match against USA looked set to undermine their progress but they bounced back to lift the trophy.
The Italians thrive in adversity, which is why this match suits them perfectly. And in Gianluigi Buffon, they have the best goalkeeper in the world and a man who may finish as the tournament’s outstanding player.
You can bet on the match on BetUK here.
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