STARTING LINEUP
Italy predicted lineup
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
Spain predicted lineup
Simon; Azpilicueta, Laporte, Torres, Alba; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Torres, Morata, Olmo
Tell me. what to watch December 22, 2024 4:32 pm
ITALY VS SPAIN
Italy and Spain face off tonight at Wembley Stadium, in what is expected to be a thrilling Euro 2020 semifinal match.
Both nations have played in four consecutive editions of the European Championship, with one draw and one victory each in the last three meetings.
Italy have been an impressive team in the Euro 2020 tournament and are hoping to win for the first time since 1968.
If Spain wins the tournament, it will be their third since 2008.
The route to the win
Semi-finals
Tuesday, July 6 – Italy vs Spain; kickoff at 8pm (London)
Wednesday, July 7 – England vs Denmark; kick-off 8 pm (London)
Final
Sunday 11 July 8 pm (London)
If England is still in the running, they’ll face either: Italy or Spain.
ITA v SPA
Wembley Stadium
THE BIG MATCH
Wembley Stadium is expected to see around 60,000 football fans.
PREDICTION
Spain are a difficult team to assess: their statistics are impressive but it is hard to shake the impression there is an underlying brittleness there. Ferran Torres operating on the right could cause Italy problems, especially without Spinazzola at left-back.
Italy will almost be playing Spain at their own game, trying to press high and dominate possession, and we fancy them to have too much intensity for their opponents.
Verdict: Spain 1 Italy 2 – The Telegraph
If this match follows form, Italy should arguably beat Spain comfortably. Semi-final fixtures tend to be quite cagey, however, and so a narrow win – either way – seems more likely. Italy 2-1 Spain. – The Independent
These nations meet for a third successive Euros and this latest encounter is an incredibly difficult one to call, with only a few moments of individual quality likely to separate them over the course of 90 minutes – and possibly beyond.
Italy may progress to the final, however, as their greater cutting edge when it matters is potentially the decisive factor. Spain, though, can deny them possession and are capable of upsetting their mesmerising rhythm, so cannot be counted out. We say: Italy 2-1 Spain – Sports Mole
Italy vs Spain Odds
Italy 6/4
Spain 2/1
Draw 11/5
Predicted final score: Spain 1 Italy 2
ITALY vs SPAIN | Team News, Where To Watch
Spain vs Italy: Team News
Italy’s left-back Leonardo Spinazzola will not be playing after suffering a serious injury against Belgium. Giorgio Chiellini has returned from injury against Belgium and will continue alongside Leonardo Bonucci at the back. Italy has no suspension concerns. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Stefano Sensi were ruled out before the start of the tournament.
Spain’s only absentee is Ansu Fati who is out on a long-term injury. Spain will need to recover from two periods of extra time in the knockout stages.
Italy and Spain at Euro 2020
Spain, more than any other team, have had the most possession and the second-most shots, but have at times struggled to convert their dominance into goals.
Spain have at times underwhelmed en route to the final four. Luis Enrique’s team opened their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Sweden, before a 1-1 stalemate with Poland. They then found goalscoring form with a 5-0 thrashing of Slovakia, however, before putting five past Croatia in an extra-time last-16 victory – having blown a 3-1 lead in normal time.
Luis Enrique’s players then required penalties to squeeze past Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Italy has played a highly technical, possession-hungry style that has been similar to Spanish teams of the past. Their three midfielders – Jorginho, MarcoVerratti and Nicolo Barella are their strongest assets. They have one of the best managers in the tournament – Roberto Mancini and have won all but one match in 90 minutes. Italy has also had more shots than any other team.
Italy have arguably been the standout team of the tournament so far, topping their group with 3-0 wins against Turkey and Switzerland and a 1-0 victory over Wales.
Roberto Mancini’s side then overcame Austria 2-1 in extra time in the round of 16, before beating Belgium 1-0 in a huge quarter-final clash.
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