Barzagli hails Italy team spirit

Italy defender Andrea Barzagli admits his side’s Euro 2012 final clash with Spain on Sunday will be their hardest match to date.

The Azzurri will enter the match still flying high from their shock 2-1 victory of Germany in their semi-final tie and the Juventus man believes the team’s ‘collective’ will serve them well against the world and European champions.

However, fellow finalists Spain are also riding on the crest of a wave following their triumph over Portugal on penalties in midweek, and Barzagli has reiterated the threat La Roja pose.

“Now there is an even tougher game (that awaits us); against the champions of everything,” Barzagli told Sky Italia.

“There is some tiredness, but we have played together for a month and we know what to do.”

Italy struggled ahead of the tournament, with their 3-0 defeat to Russia in their final warm-up game marking the first time the country lost three games in a row for 29 years.

But Barzagli believes Italy have what it takes to triumph over a strong Spanish side if they play as a team.

“Our advantage? The collective. We hope we will come out (onto the pitch) to play the game against the champions, as we have already showed.

“Certainly, from the friendly with Russia, we have improved a lot.”