GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany : Defending champions Italy may have won their Euro 2024 opener against Albania with an unexpectedly attacking style of football, but Spain - their opponents on Thursday - are unfazed, says manager Luis de la Fuente.
Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Group B - Spain v Croatia - Berlin Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany - June 15, 2024 Spain coach Luis de la Fuente before the match REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo
"We know what kind of football they play and how competitive they are, so we won't be surprised. I expect a strong, aggressive Italy who will try to control possession. The Spain-Italy rivalry goes a long way back as no two countries have met more often at Euro tournaments, with Thursday's match being the eighth time since 1960 that they have squared off.
"We are much alike, they are also a team that are still under development, with a lot of young players and a new coach, very competitive in their approach... When I see them it's like looking at ourselves in the mirror," De la Fuente said.
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