Italy vs Spain Euro 2016 preview: What time does it start, where can I watch it live?

A look ahead to Monday's last 16 match

Michael Parsons
Friday 24 June 2016 14:25 EDT
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Andres Iniesta during Spain's opening game
Andres Iniesta during Spain's opening game (Getty)

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It’s a big game for…

David De Gea

It was a source of bemusement to most football watchers that Iker Casillas was keeping De Gea out of the Spain team until the start of this tournament. Vicente Del Bosque finally did the logical thing, introducing the Man Utd keeper for Spain’s opening fixture. De Gea has generally rewarded his manager’s faith, but a mistake for Croatia’s winning goal in their final group fixture has left him under pressure. His occasional quirk of attempting to save shots with his feet is odd in an otherwise excellent keeper.

Best stat…

This will be the fourth time in the last three Euros tournaments that Italy and Spain have met. Spain knocked Italy out on penalties in the 2008 quarter-finals after a 0-0 draw, and 4 years later defeated them 4-0 in the final to lift the trophy. They also met in the opening game in 2012, drawing 1-1.

Player to watch…

Antonio Candreva

The winger should shake off injury to return for his side’s tie of the round. The limp performance of Italy’s second string against Ireland demonstrated how important he is to this team. Now 29, Candreva is something of a late bloomer.

After spending much of the early part of his career in Serie B, he only fully established himself in the top flight after his move to Lazio in 2012. Antonio Conte is rumoured to want to make him one of his first signings as Chelsea boss.

Premier League interest…

Italy (3):Matteo Darmian, Angelo Ogbonna, Graziano Pellè

Spain (6): César Azpilicueta, Cesc Fàbregas, Pedro, Héctor Bellerín, David de Gea, David Silva

Past meetings…

Italy 1 (Insigne) Spain 1 (Aduriz) Friendly, 2016

Spain 1 (Pedro) Italy 0, Friendly, 2014

Who will the winners face next…

The victors will play Germany or Slovakia in the quarter-final

Vital information…

Date: Monday 27th June

KICK-OFF TIME: 5pm

TV: Live on BBC One

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