Spain, Italy trade compliments before final

KIEV, Ukraine – Spain hasn’t lost any desire as it aims to attain a third successive major soccer tournament title in the Euro 2012 final against Italy, midfielder Xavi said Saturday on the eve of the game.

“Many things in the world of football have changed, but we really want to do well and show that this side is still hungry to win,” the Barcelona player said.

Spain comes to Kiev against an Italian side that impressed in beating England and Germany on the way to the final after also playing well against Spain in a 1-1 draw in the group stage.

“They played very well against us and the five defenders really created problems for us,” Xavi said.

“One of the keys of the match will be ball possession because both teams want that. History has shown they are a great team and now they are more talented than ever.”

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque denied Spain, as world and European champions, was the favorite. Italy “started well against us and kept improving so they are a worthy rival for the final,” he said.

“I think we have had a parallel tournament. Both have gone to penalties, our style is similar. I don’t think there is a great difference between the two teams.”

Del Bosque gave nothing away on his team lineup for the match or whether he would play with a striker or again use Cesc Fabregas as an extra midfielder playing in a more withdrawn attacking role.

“We will play with three attackers, that’s for sure. There will be three men in the front who will be responsible for attacking but the whole team has their own tasks,” he said before team trained in Kiev’s Olympic Stadium.

“We have lots of alternatives and so do Italy.

“We cannot really say if they will be defensive, because they know how to change and there has been huge change in Italian football in the past years.”

The match could be decided on who controls the midfield, with Xavi and his Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta facing Italy’s Andrea Pirlo, who has been the outstanding performer for the Azzurri.

“They have Pirlo, (Riccardo) Montolivo, they know how to play football. Any team that has played in midfield as they did they would also be in the final,” Del Bosque said.

Xavi, 32, sees a brother-in-arms in 33-year-old Pirlo as a playmaker and consummate passer of the ball who likes to control the tempo of a game. Players like Pirlo share a similar approach to playing, he said.

“I feel very lucky because some years ago football had a tendency to be more physical, and we were lucky to have slightly (physically) weaker footballers but more technically talented, and that is what we are trying with the Spanish side. I am very happy that the tendency in football is to really play and attack more.”

Captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas dismissed Italy coach Cesare Prandelli’s assessment that Spain was the favorite.

“I am grateful for their (the Italians’) respect, but we have the same feelings towards them,” Casillas said.

“It is no surprise they are in the final. They have a strong squad and know how to play, and we never think we are the favorites. Quite the opposite. I think we are equals.”

Casillas, who has played together for Spain with Xavi from junior level, agreed that Spain still had a great desire to win.

“We have been very lucky to have a great generation of players. We want to continue creating history and tomorrow we have another chance,” he said.