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Spain vs Italy: Five things to watch

By Vijay Vemu

TURIN, ITALY - MARCH 20: Gianluigi Buffon (C) of Juventus FC with team mates Leonardo Bonucci (L) and Andrea Barzagli celebrate victory and his record of minutes without conceding goals at the end of the Serie A match between Torino FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on March 20, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - MARCH 20: Gianluigi Buffon (C) of Juventus FC with team mates Leonardo Bonucci (L) and Andrea Barzagli celebrate victory and his record of minutes without conceding goals at the end of the Serie A match between Torino FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on March 20, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) /
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PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 20: Thiago Motta of Paris Saint-Germain during the French Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco at Parc des Princes on march 20, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 20: Thiago Motta of Paris Saint-Germain during the French Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco at Parc des Princes on march 20, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images) /

3. Can Thiago Motta still prove his worth to Italy?

For the first time in two years, Thiago Motta will be in the squad for Italy’s friendlies. We last saw the PSG midfielder don the Italian shirt during the 2014 World Cup and he hasn’t played since. But now he is back and could be the veteran in the midfield that Italy need. With Andre Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi out of the squad, Motta is now the elder statesmen in the midfield.

He will have youth all around him as he will play with the likes of Alessandro Florenzi, Jorginho, and Roberto Soriano. Even though he may be lacking in the youth department, Motta can still be a valuable asset to the Italy side. He is a great defensive midfielder as he is able to sit in front of the back line and can help control possession as well as help the transition from defense to offense.

He plays that role perfectly at PSG as he was crucial in their UCL victory over Chelsea in which he controlled the midfield in both legs with his play. His play ultimately helped the Parisians advance in the tournament and if he steps up like that for Italy in Euro 2016, he could help them get past the group stage and into the knockout stages.

Next: 2. First time for Sergi Roberto