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EURO 2020 – Italy vs Spain – Semi-final

Two football giants clash under the Wembley arch on Tuesday as Italy and Spain battle it out for a spot in the final of Euro 2020.

Two football giants clash under the Wembley arch on Tuesday, as Italy take on Spain in the Euro 2020 semi-finals.

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The nations are facing off for a fourth Euro in succession and Spain will be looking for revenge after bowing out to the Italians in the Round of 16 when they last squared off. It’s time for an action-packed game of European football!

Euro 2020 – Semi-final
Tuesday 6 July
Wembley Stadium

To Win (90 min)

Italy 14/10
Draw 43/20
Spain 2/1

To Qualify

Italy 7/10
Spain 1/1

Italy

Italy have been a force to reckon with at Euro 2020. They have overcome all their opponents with their most impressive performance being a 2-1 win against the world number one ranked nation Belgium. There is a sense of controlled aggression within the squad’s play, and the football has been record-breaking. La Nazionale is now the first nation to win 15 consecutive matches in European competition – including tournaments and qualifying – and only the fourth to win five European Championship finals fixtures in a row.

Since taking charge in 2018, Roberto Mancini has ushered in a new era at the Azzurri. He has demonstrated their traditional defensive solidarity alongside a fluent attacking play to devastating effect. The defence has been polished and the attack has been renewed, scoring 11 goals to record their highest total goal tally with two possible fixtures remaining. They’ve also conceded just once this tournament against a rugged Austria.

A trio of Lorenzo Insigne, Matteo Pessina and Manuel Locatelli have provided stand-out moments for Italy earning them joint top scorers with two goals apiece, whilst the less recognized role that has been executed quite immaculately by Jorginho has proved to be the Italians driving force.

The speed down the wing and quality crossing will be sorely missed with Leonardo Spinazzola out after rupturing his Achilles, but I have confidence the defensive line will remain intact with the veteran centre-back pairing and the uber-talented youngster in the nets, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Italy are top of their game and are favourites in my books to take the tournament. The winning formula has shown itself under Mancini and has shown itself in their last outing against Belgium which has been their toughest test to date.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Spain

Having scraped through the first two group stage fixtures and winning their first two knockout rounds, La Roja have not failed to impress despite the criticism the team faced heading into the tournament. Each time the Spanish have won their quarter-final, they have gone on to lift the trophy. Despite a sluggish start, Luis Enrique’s men have netted 12 goals in the competition, equalling their highest ever total at European Championship finals, set during the victorious campaigns of 2008 and 2012.

Luis Enrique has shown quality at the helm but has also shown vulnerability and weaknesses. Maintaining the style of play we all know Spain bring to the table has been key in success, as well as adding an extra layer with much more urgency in winning the ball back instantaneously. However, the killer pass that the previous greats possessed has been lacking in comparison.

Aymeric Laporte and Pau Torres have been the better centre-back pairing for the Spanish, and after being the only outfield player to play every minute of the campaign, reports have come out that the newfound Spaniard, Laporte, has trained separately from the squad to manage his fatigue. Sergio Busquets has proved that class remains even when your body cannot do as it did in the past after securing a star of the match performance against Switzerland. Dani Olmo and Thiago Alcantara seem to be a good wildcard up Enrique’s sleeve each adding a different element to Spain’s game.

Spain are sure to maintain a decent amount of possession and taking their chances will be a deciding factor in this semi-final. Alvaro Morata is a banker to start up front, but not a sure bet in putting them away. Spain are the favourites in this encounter and in this 38th matchup between the two nations have won 13 to Italy’s 11.

Prediction: Italy Win (14/10)
This semi-final clash is incredibly difficult to call! There have only been moments far and few in between where individual quality has made a difference. A moment like this is what will make the difference in 90 minutes.

For me, Italy will progress within 90 minutes as their greater cutting-edge moments are taken advantage of putting the ball away when it matters. However, Spain’s possession play is capable of disrupting the Italian’s rhythm, so cannot be counted out.

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