Thiago Motta has said that Italy can rely on Spain to try to beat Croatia in the final round of group games at Euro 2012.

The Italians, who must first and foremost beat Ireland next week, need either Spain or Croatia to beat the other to avoid their fate being decided on head-to-heads. Speaking after the Azzurri's struggle to overcome Croatia, Motta insisted that the Spaniards will target a win.

"I don't have the slightest doubt about it," he told Rai. "We know them. We are all professionals and we are at the Euros.

"We wasted the chances we created in the first half [against Croatia] and we did not close out the game. But football is like this and we are now thinking of [Ireland]."

Italy take on Ireland on Monday in Poznan.