Can Pirlo sink Spanish treble bid?

Andrea Pirlo can grab football greatness tonight if he can inspire Italy to victory over Spain in the final of the European Championships.

Building a final up into being a potential classic can often be the recipe for disaster but tonight’s match promises much with both teams placing an emphasis on attacking play with the midfield head-to-heads eagerly anticipated.

Three weeks ago the two teams drew 1-1 in Group C as Italy asked questions about the perceived invincibility of Spain.

Vicente del Bosque’s side are one match away from an unprecedented three consecutive titles but the unanimous praise that has flowed towards the Spanish side since 2008 has been interrupted by bizarre claims that they pass the ball too much.

The absence of a recognised striker is a more valid complaint but with a six man interchangeable midfield the Spanish system is playing havoc with conventional defending.

“We will play with three attackers that’s for sure,” del Bosque responded to questioning about his formation. “There will be three men in the front who are going to be responsible for attacking. Each member of the team has his own mission.”

Since Spain won Euro 2008 it’s been almost impossible to mention Xavi without following it with Iniesta with the two Barcelona midfielders providing the signature to a record breaking international run at the same time as Barca have set new benchmarks at club level.

With two strikers in Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano Italy will line up in a more traditional format but the key to the match will inevitably be in midfield where Pirlo carries the hopes of the Azurri.

On the back of an unbeaten title winning season at Juventus Pirlo has carried his form onto the international stage, dominating the match against England and sealing his place in the game’s folklore with an unforgettable Panenka-style penalty past Joe Hart that seemed to demoralise Roy Hodgson’s team.

Tonight in Kiev Pirlo has the perfect stage to showcase his ability with the final unlikely to go the way of the ill-tempered clash between Spain and Holland that cast a shadow over the last World Cup Final.

“Our central midfield has a lot of quality in it,” Italian boss Cesare Prandelli explained. “We can run and press the ball a lot there and we have a great player who can raise the level, Andrea Pirlo.

“Often the other players just work to get the ball to him, to give him space so he can dictate things.”

In two hours against England Pirlo completed 117 passes, against Spain he’ll be fortunate to reach half that figure.

Whether it’s Prandelli or del Bosque celebrating at midnight in Kiev remains to be seen but the watching millions are unlikely to feel the same anger and frustration that the South African World Cup Final brought.

Samsung have put up some great prizes across the Football Fancast network, click on the logo on the left and tell Samsung in 140 characters, twitter style, what matters most to you.

CLICK HERE for Sevco apply for SFA membership

Follow Video Celts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube