Spain V Italy: 6 Reasons to Believe the Azzurri Can Down the World Champions

Cesare Prandelli's Italy have entered Euro 2012 on the back of three consecutive defeats, not ideal preparation.

It is a run of matches that is in complete contrast to the Azzurri's route to Poland and Ukraine, which was almost perfect. The former Fiorentina manager has guided Italy to eight wins in their 10 qualifying matches.

The reigning European and World Champions await Italy in their opening match of Euro 2012, presenting Italy with an intimidating proposition.

But considering that Switzerland upset Spain in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup and Italy were only defeated four years ago by La Furia Roja on penalties, there is a quiet optimism developing. This could be the ideal time to play FIFA's No. 1.

Here are six reasons for fans of La Nazionale to believe they can win the opening game and dream of claiming their second ever European Championship.

Greater Options in Attack Than the Best Team in the World

Spain are a phenomenal side, but they lack a real predator in front of goal currently. Although there is no shortage of candidates, none have settled in to the side in recent months.

David Villa has unfortunately been ruled out of the tournament with injury. Fernando Torres has persistently struggled for form since signing for Chelsea. And while there are other options at Vicente del Bosque's disposal who are serial scorers for their clubs, they all remain unproven at this level.

Fernando Llorente has talent, but his style could compromise Spain's tiki-taka approach, which would be treacherous given it has delivered unprecedented success in the last four years.

Italy possess one of Europe's best strikers over the last couple of seasons, Antonio Di Natale, who has scored 80 league goals in the last three Serie A campaigns. Conveniently, Toto has operated in a 3-5-2 with Udinese this season, which might propel him in to contention for a start.

There is also the enigmatic Mario Balotelli, who is world class on his day, as well as the fantasista, Antonio Cassano, who seems to have recovered well from his heart problem earlier in the season. We should not forget about the Atomic Ant, Sebastian Giovinco, who has been a revelation for Parma this season, scoring 15 goals and providing 16 assists.

Italy certainly contain the firepower to make the most of their chances, which might be few and far between against Spain, considering they will likely dominate possession.

Given that possession is not everything, as Chelsea proved in the Champions League, taking their chances and defending resolutely will be the Azzurri plan.

A More Solid Defence, No Matter Which Formation Prandelli Opts for

Italy will also have a stronger defence than the reigning champions, at least on paper.

The Furia Roja have struggled in the build-up to the tournament to assemble a solid foundation to allow their wonderful attacking options to flourish.

Carles Puyol is out injured; Gerard Pique has endured the worst season of his career since joining Barcelona; and Sergio Ramos still has lapses in concentration.

Jordi Alba, the Valencia left-back, is far from reliable with his defensive capabilities exposed in this season's Champions League, especially away to Chelsea, when Unai Emery was forced to haul him off.

Italy have lost Andrea Barzagli, but they still have Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, who were both stalwarts for Juventus this season, the best defence in Serie A. Daniele De Rossi regularly filled in at centre-back towards the end of the season for Roma and will easily be able to fulfill this position for Italy.

Spain Will Feel Huge Pressure and Start Slowly

Spain endured huge pressure in South Africa two years ago, as their nation heaped pressure on La Roja to claim their first World Cup crown.

Switzerland were able to take advantage, and Italy will be able to do likewise here, although for different reasons. Spain will feel the pressure of the favourites tag once again, and due to being spoiled for success in recent years, nothing short of winning the tournament will be acceptable.

Remember, no country has ever won consecutive European Championships, which will be a mental obstacle for Spain, especially after claiming the World Cup in 2010. Three consecutive major titles would be an unprecedented feat.

Italy Will Have a Greater Hunger Than Spain

Italy will have more hunger in their squad to win this title after the majority of Spain's squad have won every major honour in football, both domestically and internationally.

Spain's squad is no weaker than it was for their previous two triumphs in 2008 and 2010, but the mentality will be different. Unlike previous tournaments, Vicente del Bosque will not be able to motivate his troops in the traditional manner.

After all, Spain have won everything now. Victory here would be special, but failure would not dent their legacies.

Italy maintain a few of the World Champions from their triumph in 2006, but the majority of the squad is from a new generation who are hungry to amend the national side's appalling performances in the 2010 World Cup.

Failure to even register a victory in the group stages in South Africa brought shame on the Azzurri's fans, and Prandelli will be demanding a massive improvement.

Prandelli Has Greater Variety in Tactics Than Del Bosque

With David Villa injured and further forwards all possessing doubts of some kind entering the tournament, Vicente del Bosque should start a lone striker and make the most of the wonderful talent at his disposal in midfield.

Cesare Prandelli has manufactured a side capable of playing beautiful football, enjoying large spells of possession thanks to the rotating rhombus in midfield which allows Italy to become much more fluid than in previous years.

Prandelli can also set up a more functional side to stifle the opponents when appropriate, perhaps switching throughout the match on Sunday.

Prandelli insists that he is prepared to try a new formation, the 3-5-2, as he wants to provide a tactical surprise at the tournament. Prandelli is fortunate enough to have players capable of playing in advanced wide areas, or as full-backs, central midfielders who can operate as central defenders, which gives the Azzurri great depth to the squad.

Genuine Wide Options to Expose Spain's Fragile Full-Backs

The 3-5-2 has become the most popular formation in Serie A over the past year. Seventeen of the 20 sides experimented with this formation, as it proved highly successful at stifling the opposition while also allowing each team's most talented attacking players to roam freely.

Given that Andrea Barzagli, arguably Serie A's best central defender last season, has unfortunately suffered an injury, Prandelli could be expected to alter his plans.

It has not deterred Prandelli though, the Azzurri are potentially the most diverse side at Euro 2012 tactically and considering that few other nations are familiar with the 3-5-2, it can prove to be a highly useful system.

With Daniele De Rossi ready to step in at centre-back, Antonio Nocerino should come in to the midfield. This will be a relief to Prandelli as he will be able to use his wide options.

Christian Maggio and Federico Balzaretti appear to be the favourites to star on the flanks and will be asked to test Spain's Jordi Alba and Alvaro Arbeloa or perhaps Sergio Ramos should Javi Martinez start in defence.

Prandelli can call upon further wide options in Emanuele Giaccherini or the rapid Ignazio Abate to provide outlets in wide areas, which will be especially important against Spain when Italy counterattack.

Jack Alexandros Rathborn is a football analyst for Football Radar, covering Italy's Serie A. You can follow him on Twitter; @jackalexandros and @FRcalcioJack.