• The match-fixing crisis has made the national side stronger
• President sends message of team spirit and determination
Gianluigi Buffon believes Italy have been steeled in adversity by the match-fixing crisis gripping the domestic game at home, with the Azzurri intent on "showing just how great our country is" by defeating Spain to claim the European Championship.
Cesare Prandelli's side are re-establishing Italy's credentials after the embarrassment of their elimination in the group stage at the World Cup two years ago and will attempt to secure the trophy for the first time since 1968 at the holders' expense. The Italian domestic game has been tarnished by the latest match-fixing scandal to erupt, though Buffon, one of four present who had won the World Cup in 2006 in the wake of the calciopoli crisis, has sensed the controversy has brought the squad tighter together.
"There is something unique in the Italian mentality in situations like this," said the veteran goalkeeper and captain. "Despite everything that is being said, and all the rumours flying around, Italians have a lot of respect and love for the national squad which always goes above and beyond. We now have the opportunity to show just how great our country is. As a country, we always try and find a way of making the squad solid. There's a lot of solidarity here, we've been brought together, and that has become our strength."
Italy's head of state, Giorgio Napolitano, telephoned Prandelli on Saturday morning to wish the 54-year-old and his players luck ahead of the game against Spain, with the manager to read out a letter sent to him by the president before the final. The squad will visit Napolitano in Rome on Monday regardless of the result. "I have read the letter already and they are fantastic words," said Prandelli. "He's conveyed the idea of team spirit, determination and generosity, things we want for the nation as well as the team.
"We are proud and hope to be up to the task. We felt Napolitano's presence and closeness the first time he came to see us against Spain. He showed great faith in us when not a lot of people had confidence in this side. But now we play the best side in the world."
The manager will retain the system with which the Azzurri defeated Germany so impressively in the semi-final, rather than resorting to the three-man back-line employed in the 1-1 opening group draw with the Spanish in Gdansk. Daniele de Rossi is expected to shrug off a sciatica problem to play, with Mario Balotelli leading the line alongside Antonio Cassano.
The size of the task ahead is all too obvious. "I've said throughout the tournament that there was, and still is, one team that has proved itself to be above every one and we're coming up against them in this game," added Buffon, who revealed his passionate singing of Il Canto degli Italiani is delivered in memory of his two great-grandparents, who were killed in the Second World War. "The Spaniards have great players throughout their team, and have dominated world football for the last four to six years.
"The best footballing side should win this game, so perhaps Spain have more chances to do that because they've been working towards this for four years and have the individual talent and the trophies. But Italy have been the surprise team of this tournament. Let's hope we continue to surprise people now." Read More
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