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Pique dismisses Spain critics: 'I've been playing well'

"Walking out into Juventus Stadium is always a special feeling, it feels like home and gives me a different kind of energy", Bonucci said Tuesday.

It has been a big week for one of France's rising stars as Presenel Kimpembe has gone from playing in Paris Saint-Germain's reserve team to earning a debut call-up to the national side.

"They will have new motivation because of the new coach and they will also have different mental and physical conditions".

In turn, the Spanish national team for the last European Championship turned out to be a failure. "We'll have to play a hard-running game like we did in Paris and be clinical in front of goal".

Another member of Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad will be recognized for his longevity at the match in Turin, with UEFA awarding Daniele De Rossi a prize for having made more than 100 worldwide appearances. Italy won 3-1 in Israel in their Group G opener last month while Spain hammered Liechtenstein 8-0.

For a start, both sides now have new coaches, with Giampiero Ventura replacing Chelsea-bound Antonio Conte at the helm of Italy and Julen Lopetegui taking over from Vicente del Bosque.

For the record, Italy has 15 wins over Spain in 44 football matches, while Spain has 12 wins.

"We have to keep our feet firmly on the ground, stay humble and above all try to recall the extent to which we motivated ourselves to go out and win this game, and then reproduce it".

Republic of Ireland and Wales supporters may also have an eye on the one other game in Group D, as Serbia's talented squad travel to Moldova.

"It's a great joy, it's the country, everyone behind us", the 21-year-old said on Tuesday. "I'm happy about that". "I still don't realize it now really but I will do when I see everyone and start training". It hosts Bulgaria before an away match against the Netherlands.

The Juventus veteran is suspended for Thursday's meeting between the two giants of global football, who have won a combined five World Cups and four European Championships.

Giam Piero Ventura's men now face the much tougher task of a Spain side that has its sights firmly on claiming top spot and automatic qualification for Russian Federation 2018.

He is expected to deploy Shandong Luneng striker Graziano Pelle and Eder of Inter Milan in attack in a preferred 3-5-2.

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Pique dismisses Spain critics: 'I've been playing well'