Admire Alonso Pirlo

Xabi Alonso expressed his admiration for Italian midfield maestro, Andrea Pirlo. According to Alonso, Pirlo is one footballer who played good football presents. Alonso is almost certainly going to meet Pirlo when Spain faced Italy in the first game of Group C Euro 2012 in PGE Arena, Gdansk, Sunday (10/06/2012). With their position equally in midfield, Alonso and Pirlo will most likely be heavily involved in the struggle for the ball duel.

"Pirlo is crucial and it is certainly not a surprise," said Alonso told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "This season he's doing great. Not easy to leave Milan after a spectacular career as a leader and role model for players then join Juve and eventually won the title in style," he explained. Alonso added that he really liked the style of play Pirlo plus the vision shown by the midfielder's 33 years on the gridiron. "Pirlo has always placed itself as a reference point to find a more beautiful football. I have always loved Pirlo because he never wanted to be the protagonist off the field and eventually total at what he does on the pitch," said the Real Madrid player.

Xabi Alonso for Spain Too High Expectations

Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso judge he and his colleagues are very heavy duty in Euro 2012, given the very high expectations imposed on their shoulders. However, even so, the player Real Madrid confirms its target of La Furia Roja remain the national team title in four annual tournaments.

"Expectations are not only high, but it jumped. Benchmark almost was not able to be measured," said El Mundo Deportivo to Xabi. "Expectations can aggravate your step, but let's hope that does not happen." "Winning the championship would be a lot more than before. However, our target, of course, successfully defended the title." As you know, Spain will face Italy started the group C on June 10, before playing the Republic of Ireland four days later, and Croatia on June 18.

Alonso: France and England Could Shine in Euro

Spain, Germany and the Netherlands are the teams most favored to win the European Cup in 2012. However, according to Xabi Alonso, France and Britain also should not be underestimated.

Alonso said the French and English have a great chance to do well in the tournament and drove away. The Spanish players did not write off Les Bleus and the Three Lions of the candidates won. "France and the UK is in a group of teams that can go far," said Alonso said. "They become part of the group because the players they have and the history of each," said Real Madrid midfielder. "They have a competitive instinct and even if they do not talk much about this competition, they are more than capable to achieve their targets," said Alonso. Spain are in Group C with Italy, the Republic of Ireland, and Croatia. La Furia Roja will begin efforts to defend his title with the Italian minister on 10 June.