TOULOUSE, France — Holder Spain’s hopes of recreating the atmosphere that led to continental success four years ago has been tested ahead of their Euro 2016 opener with Czech Republic though the players remain confident.
Goalkeeper David De Gea has been dragged into an off-pitch scandal while Spain have also had a troubled build-up on the pitch, leaving the European champion with much to prove in its first Group C match in Toulouse Monday.
Spain, which will also face Turkey and Croatia in a tricky section, was dominating international football when it became the first side to claim two consecutive European titles by winning Euro 2012 two years after a maiden World Cup win.
But that came to an abrupt end at the 2014 World Cup when it crashed out in the group stage, never recovering from a 5-1 demolition by the Netherlands in its opener, and it has endured some mediocre results ahead of this tournament.
However, forward Pedro says they are even more determined to do well after their poor display at the World Cup in Brazil as they chase an unprecedented third European title in a row.
“The mood reminds me of those of four years ago,” he told reporters at Spain’s headquarters on the Ile de Re Saturday. “The group have a different mentality, they want to do something great and have a successful tournament.”
“We’re motivated. Maybe it’s because we didn’t have a good World Cup and we want to turn that situation around.”
Tough time for
Italy against Belgium
Plagued by injuries to his creative midfielders and without a talisman up front, Italy coach Antonio Conte is banking on a workmanlike team full of energy to outfox Belgium’s exciting young forwards when they meet Monday.
The Euro 2016 Group E match comes ahead of tough encounters against Ireland and Sweden giving neither side much respite should they lose the first game in Lyon.
Once famed for their “catenaccio,” a tactical system with an emphasis on a strong defensive unit, Italy come to the tournament with arguably its weakest team for years and conceding goals particularly against top teams.
It faces a Belgium side with a talented squad tipped by some to go one better than the golden generation that finished as tournament runners up in 1980.
Despite opening the scoring, the Italians were beaten comfortably 3-1 by Belgium in a November friendly.
Conte, who joins Chelsea after the tournament, is known for his motivational skills, team unity and tactical flexibility, although a tendency to tinker has led to mixed results since 2014.
“You need to sacrifice yourself for the team,” Conte recently said in an interview. “The team isn’t a single person.”
In contrast, the Red Devils appear spoilt for choice in attack having scored an average of more than two goals per game over their last 10 matches.
After a terrible season at club level for Chelsea, Hazard has hit form. Atletico Madrid’s Carrasco has turned games on its head and could be one of the stand-out performers of the tournament.
De Bruyne is likely to be deployed in the playmaker role while any one of Belgium’s four central strikers Michy Batshauyi, Christian Benteke, Romelu Lukaku and Divock Origi, could be chosen to lead the line.
Tightening up that defence may well be key to whether Belgium can overcome a well-drilled Italian team.
Ireland, Sweden
seek redemption
Ireland and Sweden meet in the Euro 2016 Group E opener at the Stade de France Monday where a win would go a long way to redeeming their past failures in the championship and getting them to the knockout stage.
Drawn in a tough section with Belgium and Italy, a victory is of paramount importance to both sides’ fortunes.
“The team that wins this game has a very good chance of progressing,” Sweden coach Erik Hamren told Reuters recently.
“Even if we win or lose we still have a chance to go through but it’s a lot smaller. It’s a real key game.”
Both teams also have a point to prove following dismal showings at Europe’s flagship tournament four years ago.
Ireland scored one goal and conceded nine to become the first team eliminated from Euro 2012, while the Swedes threw away the lead twice in losing their first two games, to Ukraine and England, packing their bags shortly after the Irish.
As ever, Sweden will rely on their enigmatic 34-year-old captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has spent the last four years banging in goals in the French capital for Ligue 1 side Paris Saint Germain, but who is now leaving on a free transfer. — Agencies
