How Italy can upset Spain

After nearly a month of terrific football, it all comes down to this: Spain versus Italy for the right to be champion of Euro 2012. I am fascinated by this matchup, because while I don't think that teams fear Spain as much as they used to, Italy is playing with a tremendous amount of confidence right now. Don't get me wrong: Italy is still an underdog in this match, and it would surprise a lot of people if the Italians won. But the Italians fully expect to come away with the trophy Sunday.

How can Italy pull off the upset and win Euro 2012? Let's take a look at some keys for the Azzurri.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this match will be the chess game between Vicente Del Bosque (Spain) and Cesare Prandelli (Italy). Spain has been most dangerous when it has gone with a 4-6-0 lineup, lacking a true striker. If Del Bosque goes with that formation, does Prandelli look back to their first matchup in the group stage, when Italy played a 3-5-2 and the teams tied 1-1? Or does he keep four in the back? My recommendation would be to at least start with the 3-5-2, given the success it showed the first time around; force Spain to adjust.

To read more about how Italy can upset Spain, plus to get access to all of Insider's other soccer content, you must be an ESPN Insider.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe

Alexi Lalas

• Follow
• Archive

• Earned 96 caps for U.S. national team
• Played in Italy's Serie A
• ESPN Soccer analyst since 2009