No more stick or twist, then. With only Sunday’s final between Spain and Italy to come now, Fantasy managers have just one shot to get their armband options right. Luckily, we’ll have the team sheets beforehand, affording us the chance to tinker and make last-minute alterations to our lineups before the 7.30pm deadline.
Spain’s progress to the final has been based on the ability to nullify their opponents’ attacking threat. The defending champions roll up to Sunday’s final on the back of four successive clean sheets – the only team to find the net against Vicente Del Bosque’s side has been, ironically, Italy. Jordi Alba is the top scoring player in the McDonald’s game and, with scores of (7, 10, 7) in his last three, is perhaps the strongest option for those looking to captain a Spanish defender.
In midfield, Xabi Alonso’s spot-kick duties may play a part and, while Xavi and Andres Iniesta have produced a single assist between them all tournament, their class is always capable of coming to the fore. Up front, David Silva has been Spain’s most reliable Fantasy asset in terms of both returns and game time. One of Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres or Alvaro Negredo will get the nod for the central role – Fabregas was handed a start in the position against the Azzurri in the Group C opener and could well be favourite.
Italy will be looking for Mario Balotelli to prove the difference once again, with the Man City forward’s brace decisive in the 2-1 win over Germany. Andrea Pirlo has, arguably, been the tournament’s stand out performer and will surely have a say in the outcome, while Antonio Cassano’s contribution to the cause was evident tonight. Elsewhere, in the Azzurri midfield, Claudio Marchisio and Riccardo Montolivo could both be decent differentials as Cesare Prandelli’s side look to upset the odds once again.
11 years, 10 months agofor the final go with 9 player or take 6 pt hit 5 pt behind leader???