Final – Italy vs England Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When does Italy vs England kick off? Italy vs England will take place on Sunday 11th July, 2021 at 20:00 (UK)
Where is Italy vs England being played? Italy vs England will take place at Wembley Stadium, London
Where can I get tickets for Italy vs England? Click here for the latest ticket information for Italy vs England
What television channel is Italy vs England on in the UK? Italy vs England will be televised live on BBC and ITV
Where can I stream Italy vs England in the UK? This match can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the ITV Hub
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All matches: Italy 11 wins, England 8 wins, 8 draws
Last meeting: England 1-1 Italy (27/03/18)
THE LOWDOWN
ITALY
- Despite sacrificing a one goal lead and being put under huge periods of pressure throughout their semi-final match against Spain, Italy managed to scrape through to the final at Wembley by virtue of a penalty shootout.
- In his second successive start in the knockout stage, attacking wideman Federico Chiesa netted the Azzurri’s goal, whilst left-back Emerson stepped in admirably for the injured Leonardo Spinazzola and is expected to do so again in the final, although striker Ciro Immobile once again failed to find the back of the net, having not scored since Italy’s second group game of the tournament.
- Head coach Roberto Mancini will stick to the same 4-3-3 formation he has utilised over the course of EURO 2020 thus far and with right-back Alessandro Florenzi likely to miss out again through injury, Mancini is expected to name an unchanged side, although he may be tempted to start Domenico Berardi as part of the front three with a view to unleashing Chiesa off the bench as an impact substitute when taking into account the distinct possibility of extra time in this final.
ENGLAND
- Despite conceding first in their semi-final clash with Denmark, England came from behind to ultimately emerge victorious after extra time, with captain Harry Kane missing a penalty won by the tireless Raheem Sterling, before slotting home the rebound in front of a raucous Wembley crowd to send the Three Lions through to their first major final in 55 years.
- Sterling was terrific once again vs Denmark and his direct running ability will make him a huge attacking threat in the final, whilst forward Kane is now just one goal away from equalling the tournament’s current top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo, although he faces a tough night against veteren Italian centre-backs Chiellini and Bonucci.
- Gareth Southgate must make a decision on whether to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation he has used throughout most of EURO 2020, or switch to the 3-4-2-1 utilised against Germany in the round of 16, which would see Walker revert to the centre of defence and Kieran Trippier start at right-wing-back, however doing this would mean either Mason Mount or Bukayo Saka dropping to the bench, with the latter in particular impressing in the semi-final, providing the cross which led to the equalising goal.
THE TEAM NEWS
ITALY
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
UNAVAILABLE: Spinazzola (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Florenzi (Injured)
ENGLAND
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Phillips, Rice, Shaw; Mount, Sterling; Kane
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Foden (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- Italy did not concede a goal in their previous two EURO final tournament matches against England. W 1-0 1980 group stage, D 0-0 2012 QF’s (Won on pens) – Italy to keep a clean sheet
- Italy have only failed to score in one of their last 30 international matches – Italy to score
- Italy have scored the first goal in nine of their last 11 EURO final tournament matches – Italy to score the first goal
- England have won 11 and drawn one of their last 12 international matches – England to win
- Harry Kane has scored a total of four goals in England’s three knockout phase matches at EURO 2020 – Harry Kane to score anytime
THE PREDICTION
So, after three group games and four knockout stage matches, it all comes down to this. Either Italy or England will emerge victorious in the final of EURO 2020 and be crowned champions of Europe. It is a fitting final with both these two sides having impressed from their first group fixture all the way to this point. Italy have not fallen behind at any stage so far in the tournament, combining experienced defensive steel with an extravagant attack. After conceding their first goal of the tournament so far in the semi-final before coming back to ultimately win after extra time, England once again proved to the naysayers why making it this far hasn’t been an accident, with the loud Wembley crowd no doubt a huge factor once again.
As you would expect in a final of this magnitude, nerves will be a huge factor for both. Each side have been brilliant defensively all tournament and the same is expected again here, with both Roberto Mancini and Gareth Southgate instructing their sides to keep possession and not commit an overload of bodies forward at the risk of being caught on the counter attack. What was impressive about England against Denmark was their fitness levels and how they maintained a high standard of performance even during extra time, whilst Italy in contrast showed signs of fatigue against Spain, which the Three Lions could very well capitalise on in the latter stages of this final. Under 2.5 goals scored is expected over 90 minutes, whilst the outcome of the final itself could hardly be any tougher to call. Ultimately however, when taking into account their firepower off the substitutes bench, the fresher legs of their younger players and the partisan home crowd at Wembley, the stars may just be aligned for England to triumph over the Azzurri and lift their first major international trophy since 1966.
Tip: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
For fixtures, results, TV schedule, top scorers and plenty more, visit our tournament home page here!
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