Spain v Italy, International Friendly: Where to Watch Live, Preview and Team News

It is a battle of two giants in world football as Spain play host to Italy in an international friendly fixture at the Vicente Calderon in Madrid on Wednesday.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 9:00pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be available on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD.

Overview

Spain suffered a shock 1-0 defeat in their last competitive fixture at the hands of South Africa. Bernard Parker's goal in the second-half was enough for the Bafana Bafana to secure their win at the FNB Stadium in November last year. The defeat halted the European and World Champions' six game unbeaten run in all competitions.

La Furia Roja have faced the 2006 World Cup winners three times in the last two years and have not lost a single fixture against them.

Their last meeting took place in the semi-final of the Confederations Cup 2013. The game remained goalless and required a penalty shootout in which Spain emerged 7-6 victorious.

Vicente Del Bosque's side will play matches against Bolivia and El Salvador before embarking on a quest to defend their World Cup in the summer.

Italy on the other hand have failed to win their last four matches in all competitions but have maintained an unbeaten run of six games.

In their previous international fixture, Cesare Prandelli's side faced Nigeria at the Craven Cottage in England last November and both sides played out a 2-2 draw.

Giuseppe Rossi put the four-time world champions in the lead in the 12<sup>th minute, but goals from Bright Dike and Newcastle United's Shola Ameobi within four minutes swung the tie in Nigeria's favour.

However, the Azzurri's levelled the score early in the second-half as Sunderland forward Emanuele Giaccherini smashed a left-footed shot away from Austin Edje's reach.

The Italians will also play against Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg before travelling to Brazil in June.

What Managers Say

Vicente del Bosque: "It Is an attractive and important match, of World champions, I hope the two are at the height of what we have achieved. We hope the team of the first match of the European Championship and the semi-final of the Confederations Cup. In 2012 they arrived very depleted by injuries and now we expect a tougher Italy, a powerful team."

Cesare Prandelli: "I didn't wanted to play this game, but I'm here and playing against Spain can be a good test for the World Cup. This match can give me some clue for the World Cup. I have confidence in this group. Spain is favourite along with Brazil, Argentina and Germany. These are the types of games that I like to play. When you face such strong teams there is this kind of feeling. We will go to win."

Team Form

Spain

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L W W W D
• Last Result: South Africa 1-0 Spain

Italy

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D D D D W
• Last Result: Italy 2-2 Nigeria

Team News

Spain

• Injured: N/A
• Doubtful: N/A
• Suspended: N/A

Probable Lineup: Casillas; Juanfran, Ramos, Albiol, Alba; Busquets, Alonso; Silva, Thiago, Iniesta; Negredo

Italy

• Injured: N/A
• Doubtful: N/A
• Suspended: N/A

Probable Lineup: Buffon; Maggio, Paletta, Chiellini, Criscito; Candreva, Marchisio, Verratti, Giaccherini; Cerci, Osvaldo