SAINT-MARTIN-DE-RE, France (AP) " A lot has changed for Spain since it routed Italy in the European Championship final four years ago.
While Italy remains the same hard-working team with solid defense and efficient offense, Spain is no longer the dominant force it once was, having lost some important players from its most successful generation and coming off an embarrassing elimination in the 2014 World Cup.
For the first time in quite a while, Spain won't be the obvious favorite when it plays old rival Italy on Monday at Stade de France in one of the most anticipated matches of the round of 16 at Euro 2016.
"Spain has been our nemesis since 2008, which is when the period of their golden era started," said Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini, who was on the team that lost to Spain in a penalty shootout in the Euro 2008 quarterfinals. "I like the word 'revenge,' but more than the word, we need to put it into practice."
The last two times La Roja defeated the Italians in the European competition, it had a squad that included the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso and an in-form Fernando Torres. Now its revamped team relies mostly on Andres Iniesta, who is one of five players from this year's squad who played in both matches, along with Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, David Silva and Cesc Fabregas.