Spain vs. Italy: Another chapter in one of Europe's biggest rivalries

Italy and Spain are traditionally polar opposites - defence against offence - and so it makes sense that they attract each other on the biggest stage. They will meet for a third consecutive European Championship on Monday in Saint-Denis in their familiar roles: Spain as the favourite and Italy as the underdog.

It wasn't always like that. The Azzurri boasted a 74-year unbeaten streak against La Roja in competitive matches until the Spanish conquered the Italians on penalties in the quarter-final of Euro 2008.

These eight years have proven difficult for Italy, which has come close but not quite managed to beating Spain.

But manager Antonio Conte is a born winner and doesn't lay down for anyone. Italy came into this tournament with what many considered its worst squad in a generation, and still it won Group E.

"You've got to try to work to upset the odds and I think this is the beauty of football and also of life: overcoming the odds," Conte told reporters ahead of the Round of 16 encounter. "I don't want to go home, the lads don't want to go home. We're not going to be sacrificial lambs ... it is up to Spain to prove they are better than us."

Gianluigi Buffon has reason to believe as well. He was there in 2008 and again in 2012 when Italy tied Spain in the group stage. The only real defeat arrived - with brutal honesty - in the final four years ago when Italy, exhausted and hamstrung by injuries, surrendered to Spain.

"In some games we've been able to cause a few problems to the best team in the world, because in these years Spain won in every competition," said the 38-year-old goalkeeper. "Italy have been the only side who have been able to make Spain suffer. I'm convinced of that."

Monday's match will not only deliver a quarter-finalist but also an edge in this rivalry: Both Spain and Italy have recorded 10 wins each and 14 draws in their previous 34 encounters.

Injuries and suspensions

Spain

Injuries: none

Quarter-final suspension if booked vs. Italy: Sergio Ramos

As ever, Spain is fully healthy heading into the knockout stages. Del Bosque rarely has to deal with any major injuries.

Italy

Injuries: Antonio Candreva (hamstring)

Quarter-final suspension if booked vs. Spain: Gianluigi Buffon, Salvatore Sirigu, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele De Rossi, Thiago Motta, Lorenzo Insigne, Simone Zaza, Eder

Antonio Candreva always seems to play his best football on the international stage, and it's been no different in France. Italy will miss his contributions on the right wing. Meanwhile, no fewer than 10 players face a potential suspension for yellow-card accumulation. This game is a tightwire act for the Azzurri.

Projected lineups

Spain starting XI: De Gea; Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Fabregas, Busquets, Iniesta; Silva, Morata, Nolito

Del Bosque hasn't changed his system in years, and he has no reason to do it now. The 4-3-3 formation sticks.

Italy starting XI: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Florenzi, Parolo, De Rossi, Giaccherini, Darmian; Pelle, Eder

The biggest change to Conte's lineup is on the right wing, where Alessandro Florenzi is expected to replace Candreva.

What to watch

During their rounds with the press, Alvaro Morata and Buffon took a moment to embrace and catch up. It's only been a month since they last suited up together for Juventus in the Coppa Italia final, but they are now former teammates. Real Madrid activated its buyback clause to re-acquire Morata from Juventus last week.

Morata also shared the field with Simone Zaza, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, and Giorgio Chiellini over the past two seasons. So if anyone knows the secrets of Italy's Juventus connection, it's the 23-year-old Spaniard.

"Alvaro is still a lad and sometimes even he does not realise how good he is. He has a quality which only great players have, which is in the big games and big occasions, he always tends to score," said Buffon. "Certainly Spain are not only Morata, but certainly he is their main attacker for what he is doing in front of goal. He's the No. 1 threat."

Morata already has three of Spain's five goals at Euro 2016.

Prediction

Questions were asked of Spain's defence after an unexpected loss to Croatia, but the fact remains that this team has quality all over the pitch. Andres Iniesta is a magician with the ball, and Sergio Busquets is the best defensive midfielder in the business. Del Bosque has maintained a high level of excellence and pressing for years. Italy can only hope to contain Spain's advances and nick a goal on the counterattack. It's easier said than done.

Spain 3, Italy 1