World Cup and Euro champion Xavi says 'Spain suffer when they don't have the ball, but Italy don't, that's the difference.'

The 36-year-old is no longer part of the unstoppable La Roja, and will leave his historic partner Andres Iniesta to fend alone against the Azzurri on Monday evening's Round of 16.

“It's going to be a very attractive game,” the playmaker predicted, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Spain will dominate play, not least because Italy are at ease off the ball.

World Cup and Euro champion Xavi says 'Spain suffer when they don't have the ball, but Italy don't, that's the difference.'

The 36-year-old is no longer part of the unstoppable La Roja, and will leave his historic partner Andres Iniesta to fend alone against the Azzurri on Monday evening's Round of 16.

“It's going to be a very attractive game,” the playmaker predicted, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Spain will dominate play, not least because Italy are at ease off the ball.

“When they get it back, they can play it with judgment. But possession is not their priority. Spain suffer when they don't have the ball, Italy don't, they stay chilled. That's the great difference between the two teams.

“Honestly in terms of philosophy, personality and competitiveness, I think you're the most inconvenient rival there can be for Spain.

“The history of Italians is made up of athletic struggle and that's why Spain always feared Italy. Historically, and also today, when we're matched up against Italy we always take the news with a bit of discomfort.

“Recently we won pretty often, but it was always with the feeling that we could have lost. That's why I insist that on Monday it's going to be really hard for Spain.”

The interviewer pointed out the feelings were mutual, as Italy were none too happy about having to deal with Spain.

“Of course. Until a few years ago, you were a little more calm about playing us. Now, less so. Let's say that it became a troublesome match for the both of us. At first all of the psychological trouble was ours, now we've passed over to you a good portion of it.”

So are Italy still scary?

“Oh yes, you bet,” Xavi laughed. “Because you know very well what game you're playing at and because it's like you're never nervous. The game may be on a score of 0-0 and you're all chilled, while we're getting anxious because we can't score.

“You're not worried about the idea of extra time or penalties. We're there with the angst of having to play and prove something. I remember we had this idea that nothing could unnerve you, and when you're up against a calm person, you end up getting nervous yourself.

“That's why I think that psychologically the idea of facing Italy might be a problem and a handicap for Spain. This game came far too early.

“It's our fault, of course, losing to Croatia was a bad mistake. The other bracket of the elimination stage looks more accessible, at least on paper.

“Of course you never know, but here there are all the strong teams, who won World Cups and Euros: yourselves, Germany, England, and France, and on the other side eight countries that never won a tournament. Yes, it really was a bad mistake.”

Byandrea

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