Ahead of the derby match in EURO 2024 between Italy and Spain, one thing is clear – whoever wins will top the group one round before the elimination phase. After a 2-2 draw between Albania and Croatia, if one team manages a win tonight, he will wait for their Round of 16 opponent from the first spot in Group B. And both Azzuri and Red Fury want that spot. The game, which starts at 22h Nairobi time, promises to be a great one, not only due to the strength of the opponent but mainly due to the fact that both teams look alike.A giant Italy shirt has been placed on Rome’s Piazza di Spagna, famously known as the ‘Spanish Steps,’ ahead of the Italy vs. Spain game at Euro 2024 tomorrow 😮 pic.twitter.com/vnNZYR6Gf5— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 19, 2024 Spain coach Luis de la Fuente can be very happy with his team’s display against Croatia in the first round (3-0, with all three goals already scored in the first half). But he knows that Italy is totally different, with more emphasis on the tactical part of the game.”It is a team with a lot of similarity to ours. It has young people that we have faced in the Under 21. They are very competitive, they know how to play and win. Very good sense of team and great individuals. It is as if we look in the mirror. It’s one of the teams I’ve faced the most. It could be the Euro or World Cup final” he said.Lamine’s virtues – passing and dribbling; Lamine’s flaws – maths and historyCoach Luciano Spalletti also believes that both teams are similar and doesn’t see a problem in the fact that Spain lost the possession battle with Croatia for the first time in 10 years.“I think they are similar. This team gets the ball forward a bit more quickly; they are a little more direct, but it depends on who plays as a centre-forward. There are three forwards who have different skill sets. Morata is the best at running in behind. He’s not lazy. He runs a great deal. In terms of meters cover and speed, his numbers are incredible. This allows them to be more direct” said Spalletti.Nigeria lost another gem – Folorunsho is with Italy at the EUROAs for the favourites of the match, former Barcelona coach Louis Van Gaal has no dilemmas – not only is Spain better, but they are his first pick to win the tournament.”I think the Spanish team is the best team at the moment. It was my first impression on the first day. The Netherlands did not play as well as Spain, but they were able to win. Germany or Portugal could do it and won in the last minute” he told Cadena SER.Italy have won just ONE of their last 11 games (in normal time) vs Spain 🇮🇹🇪🇸#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/kvtj8k2gFO— LiveScore (@livescore) June 20, 2024 Both teams will rely on their most reliable players, the ones who play almost all minutes. With Italy, it’s Napoli captain Di Lorenzo (who played 4,981 minutes for club and country this term, more than any other of his compatriots), PSG keeper Gigio Donnarumma (4,690 minutes) and three Inter players: Barella (4,297 minutes), Alessandro Bastoni (3,491 minutes), and Federico Dimarco (3,394 minutes). On the other sides are (of course) Rodri (5,071 minutes), Robin Le Normand (4,379), Dani Carvajal (4,028 minutes), Unai Simon (3,904) and Alvaro Morata (3,632).EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGEThursday 16.00: (4.10) Slovenia (3.50) Serbia (2.00)19.00: (5.60) Denmark (3.70) England (1.65)22.00: (2.30) Spain (3.30) Italy (3.20)***odds are subject to change***