Antonio Conte's Italy is "a hybrid between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid", says Spanish legend Xavi ahead of knock-out clash

Spain and Italy square up perhaps too early in the ongoing Euro 2016, the round of 16 were one side must end their journey. Making the Monday encounter all the more highly anticipated especially by neutrals - many making their predictions that have left the balance fairly positioned.

Spain with their out and out creative style of play, thanks to David Silva and Andres Iniesta, are the best positioned team to carve a way through an Italian defence that progressed top of their group with perfect results without conceding any goal to achieve that. Morata's movement up front will also be very much needed.

Italy first conceded goal being a late Robert Brady header versus Ireland. Even in that game, Italian boss, Conte rested some of his key players, perhaps to keep them fresh and available as some were already close to a ban due to yellow cards received ahead of the clash.

All in all, what Italy lack in a very threatening forward line, Spain lack in an unconvincing defense.

Looking ahead of the game, Spain and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has offered his detailed thoughts about Italy ahead of his country's Euro 2016 knock-out stage clash on Monday.

He told Italian newspaper La Gazetta dello Sport that Antonio Conte's Italy were much more than a traditional counter-attacking side, and had changed over the past decade.

'I see Conte's Italy as a hybrid between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Xavi said.
'There's your historical DNA, you know how to run and how to fight. The Italy of 2008 was closer to your classical model, closed defence and counter-attack.'

'Now you know how to keep the ball too, while you used not to care about that or even to not be able to.'

Xavi said Italy's transformation started with their last coach, Cesare Prandelli.

'I think that modern Italy, in terms of football, started with Prandelli. Conte just applied Juventus' philosophy.'

'The team is comfortable with and without the ball, defending deep or playing the match according to their opponents.'

He added that Spain might be facing a big tactical challenge when they take on Italy.

'Your 3-5-2 is the most complex system for an opponent that wants to press high up. When Italy want to bring the ball up, they have three at the back and two on the wings, for a total of five potential receivers of the ball.' 

'Pressing the way that Spain like to do becomes really difficult.' 

'It forces us to change our system to adapt to the opponent, which just makes it all more complicated. At the World Cup, Brazil, Holland and Chile all opted for the 3-5-2 and caused us tremendous difficulty.'

That being said, I expect Italy to come out, victor, at full time. This is because Conte being the stuff he is made of, would throw everything at this game most especially the mentality. As I always say, some games are not won by skills and flair but by discipline and grit. This, should be one of such.

What a game it promises to be!