Antonio Conte warned “there will be no tomorrow” for Italy or Spain, so the Azzurri must “go beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary.”
The Round of 16 kicks off on Monday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stade de France in Paris.
Whoever wins this clash will go on to face Germany in the quarter-final, having crushed Slovakia 3-0 this evening.
Antonio Conte warned “there will be no tomorrow” for Italy or Spain, so the Azzurri must “go beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary.”
The Round of 16 kicks off on Monday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stade de France in Paris.
Whoever wins this clash will go on to face Germany in the quarter-final, having crushed Slovakia 3-0 this evening.
“We know that we are facing one of the best teams in the world, one of the favourites for the tournament and we have a great deal of respect,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“Having said that, we have worked hard and prepared for this. It’s a Round of 16 clash, a knockout round, for one of the two sides there will be no tomorrow and therefore the response on the field will be everything.
“Since the start we’ve said that we don’t want regrets. We must give our all in every game. If the opponents prove themselves stronger on the day, then we’ll be the first to applaud them. If they don’t, then I want us to get the victory.”
Antonio Candreva has been ruled out by a thigh injury, but Conte is expected to field the same line-up that beat Belgium 2-0 save for Alessandro Florenzi replacing the Lazio winger.
“It’s not as if you’re waiting for a game like this to try something that has never been done. We must win the game all together, in attack when we have the ball and trying to hurt Spain.
“I hear a lot of talk about defence, defence, defence, watching out for Morata, Nolito, Iniesta, etc. Let’s make sure Spain have to worry about defending against us, first and foremost.
“Our strength is in organisation, both when defending and attacking, as a unit. Let’s try to achieve something extraordinary, because it would be an achievement.”
Spain lost 2-1 to Croatia and were therefore runners-up in their group, so will that affect their performance and attitude?
“I think defeats always bring something more in terms of determination and concentration. I would’ve preferred a ‘softer’ Spain who were coming off a series of wins.
“We analysed their defeat to Croatia and it was an odd game, as Spain could’ve finished them off in the first half and confirmed all their quality in possession, passing and movement.
“I expect a strong opponent, we know all that, but having said that we are prepared. We’re not here to be bit-part players.
“If we just focus on reason, we will lose. We have to look beyond that and find something extraordinary, because tomorrow the ordinary will not be enough. I am convinced we have the players who can do that.”