Boring? No chance! Spain and Italy gear up for Euro final as Del Bosque promises 'three attackers'

By Sportsmail Reporter

Published: 17:37 EST, 30 June 2012 | Updated: 07:05 EST, 1 July 2012

The coaches of Italy and Spain, Cesare Prandelli and Vincente Del Bosque, have scoffed at the idea that reigning champions Spain are boring, ahead of the Euro 2012 final in Kiev.

Prandelli feels it is Spain who start favourites due to their amazing recent record.

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Raring to go: Italy's Mario Balotelli and Spain's Andres Iniesta in training for the final

'Spain are the best side in the world,' he said.

'They've shown that in the last few years by playing their own way and staying true to their footballing philosophy.

'We've always said they are the side to beat. It's not a case of them being boring. It's a fear of seeing the same side always winning and Spain always seem to come out on top.' 

Facing the music: Italy boss Cesare Prandelli (right) and skipper Gianluigi Buffon

Del Bosque was certainly making no apologies for the way his team perform.

'We cannot stay in the past century,' he said.

'Football is evolving and our players have changed.

'The nucleus is the same but you cannot say we haven't tried to change anything and have stayed on the same line.'

Dilemma: Will Cesc Fabregas start for Spain

Del Bosque must decide whether to include former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas, who is one of those who has been used in an offensive role during the current tournament. Andres Iniesta, whose extra-time goal defeated Holland in the World Cup final, is another, with Del Bosque seemingly intent on filling his midfield rather than take the bold step of including Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente, who proved so troublesome for Manchester United in two meetings last season.

'We will play with three attackers that's for sure,' said Del Bosque.

'There will be three men in the front who are going to be responsible for attacking. Each member of the team has his own mission.'

Opportunity: Spain's Xavi feels his team's style of play has helped to extend his career

Spain's Xavi feels the team's style of play has rescued his career. In an era when the physical dominance of midfield areas seemed to be taking over, he would have found it difficult.

'I feel very lucky,' he said. 'Some years ago football had gone in the direction of being more physical. 'We had slightly weaker, but more technical, players.

'That is what we tried to do with Spain and thankfully it worked out really well for everyone.'

Pulling the strings: Italy's Andrea Pirlo in training

Meanwhile Italy skipper Gianluigi Buffon praised controversial striker Mario Balotelli for his willingness to work for the Italian cause at Euro 2012.

Balotelli has been the model of good behaviour during his time in Poland and Ukraine.

The 21-year-old has certainly flourished and his brace in Thursday night's semi-final victory over Germany has put him in pole position to claim the coveted Golden Boot, in addition to sending Italy into tomorrow's final with holders Spain.

Old hand: Gianluigi Buffon has seen it all

'Mario has done very well thus far,' said Buffon. 'He has great natural talent and that is a fantastic starting point for him.

'But he's also come into a squad where there are a lot of star players, not only on the footballing side but in general.

'Mario deserves the most credit because he's really worked hard and wanted to succeed.'

Yet again, after leaving behind a domestic competition mired in scandal, Italy have emerged as a unified force.

Key man: Mario Balotelli

It happened in 1982 and 2006, with Italy winning the World Cup on both occasions.

And Buffon does not feel there is any coincidence.

'There is something unique in the Italian mentality,' he said.

'Beyond everything that has been said, and the rumours, Italians have a lot of respect and love for the national squad which goes above and beyond anything else.

Italy President Giorgio Napolitano has sent a good look message through Prandelli, which was read out to the squad after training this evening.

Italy go into the game with the backing of many neutrals, who have warmed to their enterprising style of play.

The defensive 'catenaccio' philosophy of old has been dumped in favour of an open approach, in which potential player of the tournament Andrea Pirlo has played such a significant role.

Italy have already met Spain once in this competition, in their first group outing in Gdansk, which finished level.

Del Bosque needs to get it right this time for Spain because history awaits this special group of players.

Yet, in a sense, they have already achieved their most significant task; transforming the perception of a team many felt, like England, were destined to fail.

'This feels different,' said skipper Iker Casillas.

'Four years ago we achieved something the team had never achieved before.

'Then we won the World Cup, which showed we were evolving as a team.

Eye on the prize: Spain's Iker Casillas says his team have already made history

'After four years, now we are in another final, which is something no-one could have imagined before the first one.

'People talk about creating history. But it has been created already. We did it with that very first win.'

VIDEO: Catch up with Prandelli and Del Bosque ahead of their crucial Euro 2012 final. 

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