Italy's non-playing captain Fabio Cannavaro snapped back at Spanish Prime Minister Jose' Luis Rodriguez Zapatero after 'Zap' predicted a 3-2 win for Spain in Sunday's Euro 2008 quarter-final.
''I see it differently from Zapatero. I say Italy's going to win 1-0, the kind of score they don't like,'' the Real Madrid defender said, referring to Spain's noted love for high-scoring games.
''They have more skill and stand-out players but we have a tight-knit group. We're more of a team - that will be our winning card''.
Earlier, Zapatero told Spanish radio that Spain was aiming to lift the ''curse'' that has hung over the Spanish national team despite countless club successes.
''Our club football is high-quality but every time our team gets into international tournaments it has big confidence problems,'' he said.
''Spain is better than Italy and I think it'll win 3-2''.
Spanish players - and other sports figures - didn't fight shy of predictions either.
''We'll win because we play the better football,'' said Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
''We're going to win 2-0 and (tournament top scorer David) Villa will get both,'' said two-time Formula One champ Fernando Alonso.
Spain coach Luis Aragones called for a positive mental attitude going into Sunday's game in Vienna.
''The first thing to do when you tackle Italy is to forget its history, the fact that it has won four World Cups and been in two other finals.
''What counts is the here and now and we have to go into this match with a positive mind-set''.
''Italy worries me. It's one of the worst teams we could have met,'' he added.
Asked if Spain might have an edge because AC Milan midfield pair Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso were disqualified, Aragones said ''they're two important players but the substitutes (Italy coach Roberto) Donadoni fields will be doing their best to earn a starting spot''.
The pair's club mate Massimo Ambrosini said he was sure he and Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, tipped to fill in against Spain, could play well together if selected.
''I can link up really well with Aquilani,'' he said, adding that ''Italy's strength is that we don't get too excited or discouraged''.
The Italy camp took a knock Thursday when defender Andrea Barzagli was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after tearing a meniscus in training.
However, he was not expected to feature against Spain.
But his absence means Italy only have the off-form Marco Materazzi or the inexperienced Alessandro Gamberini to turn to should either of the new central pairing, Christian Panucci and Giorgio Chiellini, get a knock or red card.
Spain has not beaten Italy in an official competition since the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp.
It beat Italy 1-0 in a home friendly in March.
Victory on Sunday would set up a semi-final against either Netherlands or Russia on June 26 in Vienna.
The final is in Vienna on June 29.
