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[monks data]
Spain national football team
International Friendlies
Mar 5, 2014 at 9pm UK
 
Italy national football team

1-0

Pedro (63')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Spain vs. Italy

Sports Mole previews Wednesday night's juicy international friendly between Spain and Italy.

Spain and Italy clash at Atletico Madrid's Vicente Calderon in a rematch of the Euro 2012 final on Wednesday night.

Although just a friendly in preparation for the World Cup, both sides will want to showcase themselves ahead of this summer's tournament in Brazil.

Diego Costa is in line to make his international debut for Spain at his home ground after switching allegiances from Brazil. The 25-year-old is set to edge out Alvaro Negredo for the start up front.

The hosts won't be featuring Premier League duo Juan Mata and Fernando Torres after both men were left out of the squad by Vincente del Bosque.

Italy, who come into the match on a run of four straight score draws, are without main striker Mario Balotelli because of a shoulder injury.

Uncapped Torino striker Ciro Immobile could make his full debut up front in Balotelli's place.

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been left out of the squad after he was caught throwing a punch at Mauro Icardi during Saturday's win over Inter Milan.

The pair have met once since Spain's 4-0 win in the Euro 2012 final in Kiev, when Spain won through in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in the Confederations Cup last summer.

Recent form

Spain: LWWWDW

Italy: DDDDWW

Possible starting lineups

Spain: Casillas; Juanfran, Albiol, Ramos, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro, Costa, Fabregas

Italy: Buffon; Abate, Astori, Bonucci, Criscito; Montolivo, Pirlo, Motta; Candreva, Destro, Cerci

Sports Mole says: 2-2


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Manchester United's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Cardiff City at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 28, 2014
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Mata not included in Spain squad
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Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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