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Aragones: Pirlo plus
Luis Aragones feels the absence of Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo hands Spain a distinct advantage heading into their Euro 2008 quarter-final encounter.
The creative Pirlo picked up his second yellow card of the tournament during Italy's 2-0 Group C triumph over France.
Defensive midfielder Gennaro Gattuso also suffered the same fate, but Aragones feels it is the loss of Pirlo that will most hurt the world champions.
"I admit that Pirlo is a great player. But to say that Gattuso is also, I would not agree," said Aragones.
A priest
"Italy have several Gattusos but only one Pirlo. If Gattuso is a great player, then I'm a priest.
"Pirlo is a creator whereas Italy have plenty of more defensive-minded types such as Gattuso. But Pirlo can also have a bad day - and the player who replaces him could also have the match of his life against us.
"There are 23 Italian players, good ones all, selected by a very wise coach (Roberto Donadoni). I am not interested in individuals but in the Italian team and even more in my team."
