1-1 draw with Spain on Sunday was not the one-sided affair many thought
was likely considering the Azzurri's poor recent form. Antonio Di
Natale put the Italians ahead in the 64th minute after subbing in to
replace the ineffective Mario Balotelli. Cesare Prandelli was happy to
let the Spanish side pass and control the ball before stopping them in
the final third, but he will likely employ a more attacking formation
against a Croatian side they are favoured to beat.
Tournament dark
horses Croatia showed that they are here to play when they dis*****ed
long-time absentees Ireland in a 1-3 thriller that was one of the more
entertaining matches so far. Wolfsburg striker Mario Mandzukic found the
net twice while Everton Nikica Jelavic rounded out the scoreline for
the Croatians. Boss Slaven Bilic will not slow down his attack against
Italy, as the match could easily decide who goes through to the knockout
stages.