Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has refused to enter the "what if?" debate and has insisted that he is focused solely on his side's match against the Republic of Ireland tomorrow night.
The Azzurri take on Ireland in Poznan, while Group C rivals Spain simultaneously face Croatia in Gdansk.
An Italy win is likely to be enough to secure their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, however a high-scoring draw between Spain and Croatia would guarantee that they both progress at the expense of Prandelli's men.
"I'm not really concerned about what everyone else is saying, it doesn't bother us," explained Prandelli. "We are just focussed on tomorrow's game. You have written a lot and said a lot over the last few days.
"But I don't think a team like Spain, who have based their whole footballing image on giving a show and playing tactical football, they are not planning it down to the detail of what the result is going to be.
"It's not at all possible. We need to think of our own game. But I am also convinced we have the means at our disposal to go ahead and win this game."
Italy have failed to beat Ireland in their last three attempts.
Robert Summerscales
