Mauro Tassotti believes Spain are “at the end of a cycle” but will still be “tough to beat” for Italy.
La Roja’s defeat to Croatia last night means they will take on Antonio Conte’s side in the Last 16 at the European Championships, and the former Milan midfielder believes the Azzurri can win.
“They’ve grown a lot compared to the side we beat in 1994,” Tassotti told Sportmediaset, in reference to the World Cup in the USA.
Mauro Tassotti believes Spain are “at the end of a cycle” but will still be “tough to beat” for Italy.
La Roja’s defeat to Croatia last night means they will take on Antonio Conte’s side in the Last 16 at the European Championships, and the former Milan midfielder believes the Azzurri can win.
“They’ve grown a lot compared to the side we beat in 1994,” Tassotti told Sportmediaset, in reference to the World Cup in the USA.
“The last Champions League final between two Spanish clubs proves that. Spanish football has grown so much, they’re tough to beat even if the national team is kind of at the end of a cycle.
“They seems a bit less sparkling than the side which won two Euros and the World Cup.
“We’re in the strong half of the draw, because Spain and England, who were predicted to finish top, ended up coming second.
“Maybe we’re not as good on the ball as Spain, but we’re very strong in defence and can hurt them on the counter-attack.
“I think the Azzurri have the quality to get to the end, but it’s clear you need a bit of luck in these tournaments.
“We rely a lot on our defence, it’s very solid and there’s [Gigi] Buffon behind it. Hopefully we can also keep a clean sheet for a few more games.
“Who poses the biggest threat for Spain? [Andres] Iniesta is their best player, if he’s on his game it benefits the whole team.
“They have great players in every position, but we have good players too. Italy seems to be the only nation that plays as a team, we almost look more like a club team than a national team.”