Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti believes Italy should get the better of Spain in Sunday’s quarter-final and has praised the Azzurri's Rossoneri stars.
Ancelotti is known as ‘The Matador’ because no Coach has had more success against Spanish opponents.
The Diavolo boss has been regularly spotted at games in Austria and Switzerland this summer and was asked for his view on Sunday’s Italy-Spain quarter-final.
“Italy have remained a good side over the last few years, while Spain have always been incomplete,” Carletto stressed “But now the Spanish are a decent side in defence and attack.
“They remind me of Nils Liedholm’s Milan side. They have a lot of possession, playing slowly with sudden acceleration.
“You need to be careful not to allow them to counterattack and take advantage of their weak spot which is the left side of the defence, where Joan Capdevila plays.
“Italy will be favourites, because they are more balanced and aggressive.”
The Azzurri are looking to find a substitute for Milan star Andrea Pirlo, who will be suspended against Spain, along with teammate Gennaro Gattuso.
“Unfortunately we have never found an alternative to Pirlo at Milan,” Ancelotti admitted.
“But in the national side there are so many excellent players and Roberto Donadoni will have an embarrassment of riches, including Mauro Camoranesi, Alberto Aquilani and Simone Perrotta.
“I’d say that Aquilani is ready to start. He reminds me of myself from a technical point of view, even if he is less powerful and more dynamic than me.”
While Milan men came in for some heavy criticism at the start of Euro 2008, Ancelotti is happy with their efforts.
“I have been very happy with Gianluca Zambrotta,” he beamed.
“Apart from the unfortunate slip-up against Romania, he seems to be on really good form.
“But all the Milan lads seem to be playing well. It’s not true that we lost the first game because there were three Milan midfielders on the pitch – it was a horrible evening for everyone.”
When asked which players had caught his eye at the championship, Ancelotti identified one surprise star.
“Apart from Croatia’s Luka Modric, who is on the tip of everyone’s tongue, the only unexpected star has been the Russian Andrei Arshavin,” he said.
