Claudio Marchisio has declared that Italy are not afraid of their quarter-final opponent after progressing through the group stages of Euro 2012 last night.

Claudio Marchisio has declared that Italy are not afraid of their quarter-final opponent after progressing through the group stages of Euro 2012 last night.

Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli secured a 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland and Spain’s victory over Croatia meant that Italy qualified for the knock-out stages as runners-up in Group C.

Marchisio, speaking to RAI after the tense encounter, claimed the Azzurri have no preference who they face next.

“No, we have no preference for our quarter-final opponent,” the Juventus midfielder stated. “We faced Spain who are the best team in the world and we stood up to them.

“We are not afraid and our European Championships start now.”

Italy will face the winners of Group D, which could be France, England or host nation Ukraine, in Kiev on Sunday.

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