Italy can rely on Spain to beat Croatia, believes Motta

Italy midfielder Thiago Motta believes Spain will set out to beat Croatia, despite only needing a draw to qualify for the quarter-finals.

With Group C heading into the final round on games on Monday, the Italians are reliant on Vicente del Bosque’s side coming out victorious.
A 1-1 draw between Spain and Croatia would mean that Italy have to score at least three times against the Republic of Ireland, while a 2-2 stalemate would send them home on head to head goals scored, but the Brazilian is confident the holders will aim for the win.

Motta told Rai: "We know them; they will try to win.

"I don't have the slightest doubt about it. We are all professionals and we are at the Euros."

Mistakes is their opening two games could prove costly for Italy but the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is not ready to dwell on the dropped points and is already looking forward to their final game against the Republic of Ireland.

He continued: "We wasted the chances we created in the first half and we did not close out the game.

"But football is like this and we are now thinking of the next [game], even though we know that Ireland will not be easy."