Italy Rivalry with San Iker has come to a close

For most of their international careers, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas have faced one another but both Spain and Italy are embarking on a new era.

As well as changes on the touchline - with Giampiero Ventura replacing Antonio Conte as head coach for Italy post-Euro 2016 and Julen Lopetegui replacing Vicente Del Bosque for Spain - the tie between the two nations will see Buffon up against David de Gea, a change from his famous battles against Casillas.

"It will be strange not to see Iker [Casillas]," Buffon said. "What's happening with him is a sign for me.

"The life of an athlete is to first be a protagonist and then to become a spectator, so I will soon have to start preparing for the latter."

The last-16 tie between the two at Euro 2016, in which Italy won 2-0 thanks to goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Graziano Pelle, was one of the biggest talking points, as the defending champions crashed out.

Discussing what Italy did to beat Spain, Buffon believes that Italy's mentality shone through.

"There were a lot of nerves and adrenaline in that game," he stated. "I remember two teams with a strong mentality, but I cannot remember everything that happened.

"We had a very intense game and were excellent mentally, which we will also have to have tomorrow [Thursday]."

Buffon expects to see a different Spain on Thursday, however.

"I expect to see a wounded Spain who are eager for revenge," he continued. "We are two new teams.

"They have not forgotten the defeat, for sure, so we must be united and humble."