Euro 2020 started with 24 nations eyeing for the prize and it's now down to two in the showpiece final. A rollercoaster ride filled with drama, excitement, emotions and goals will rest it's a curtain on Sunday by declaring one champion. It is between two heavyweights in the form of Italy and England to have the last laugh of the tournament in a momentous evening. The occasion cannot be hosted in any other stadium than Wembley.
Roberto Manchini's Italy demonstrated an attacking flair to their game unlike the age hold the defensive show to pull off games although that helped them to get over big horses like Belgium in quarters and Spain in semis. Their dominance in the group stage was noticeable but they fail the real heat of the competition in the knockouts. Against Spain, Italy were pretty much on the backfoot in the 1-1 draw after extra time although winning the penalty shootout in style. Manchini feels his boys deserve a reward after their stunning display throughout the campaign. The Calcio-loving nation has been to two finals losing subsequently in 2000 and 2012. But the present side have shown more promise than the previous squads. Italy have shown tenacity in hard times and this never dying attitude has put them on the road to glory. Therefore, the Azzurri's are willing to end a long wait of winning the European Championship since 1968.
This Euro final cannot be more historical when you realise England have made it to a major showpiece final since their World Cup triumph in 1966. Gareth Southgate's men displayed less attractive yet effective football on the course to the final. The Three Lions haven't faced opposition of its calibre till now apart from a round of 16 games against a disjointed Germany so the challenge has been minimum. But it doesn't eliminate England's spirited showings in each game. Harry Kane, Harry Maguire and most significantly Raheem Sterling produced wonders for his managers in tight affairs to be in this stage. Also, Southgate's pragmatic mindset guided by a solid back four or a three and a safe pair of hands from Pickford has let in only one goal so far. That was against Denmark in the semis A controversial decision in a dominating display put them through for sure but it won't matter in winning the whole thing.
Italy vs England Match Details :
When: Sunday, July 11/ Monday, July 12
Timings: 00:30 (IST)/
Where: Wembley Stadium, London, England
Recent Form (Euro 2020) :
Last 5 games
Italy: WWWWD
England: WWWWW
ITA vs ENG Dream11 Team News :
Barring Spinazzola, Roberto Manchini has a fully fit squad at his disposal for the ultimate game of Euro 2020. The Roma left-back has been one of the best players in the tournament but sadly was stretched up with an Achilles problem in the quarterfinals and his teammates are wishing to give him the gifts for his contributions in the tournament. Italy had to sit back and rely only on counters because the absence of an attacking outlet from him in the left channel was felt. Emerson Palmieri will feature for consecutive games at the full-back spot in place of him. Ciro Immobile's decoy run did help Federico Chiesa opened the scoring against Spain in the semis but the Lazio striker's performance has been frustrating in the last outings. He will start anyway in the front three with Insigne keeping the faith of his manager. Andrea Belloti's role is of a substitute again.
England have a fully fit squad like their opposition for Gareth Southgate to pull off one final stroke to win the final. His lineup for the showpiece will be largely predictable though and it should be. The strongest eleven of his choice has delivered in each game merging with his style of play leaving no complaints. It means the midfield duo of Kalvin Philips and Declan Rice will remain untouched in the double pivot. Also, Bukayo Saka will start ahead of Jadon Sancho, Phil Foden, or a Jack Grealish after he overcomes a knock that kept him out from the quarterfinal tie. The Arsenal man also provided the pass that led to an own goal from Denmark's Simon Kjaer bringing England level just before the break and eventually winning the affair in extra time. Southgate is likely to stick to a four-man backline.
Italy vs England Predicted Lineups :
Italy: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Emerson Palmieri, Jorginho, Nicolo Barella, Marco Verratti, Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne
England: Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane
Italy vs England Head to Head :
This is the third outing between the sides in a European Championship. Both of the last two have Italy winning, first by a 1-0 scoreline in the group stages of 1980 Euros and next on penalties in the 2012 Euros quarterfinals. England won a friendly one that year and since then haven't won in the last five meetings. The Three Lions also have a stale record taking total games into account, winning only eight compared to eleven victories by the Azzurri's in 28 encounters. The rest obviously has been draws.
ITA vs ENG Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Jordan Pickford (Eng)
DEF: Luke Shaw (Eng), Giorgio Chellini (Ita), Harry Maguire (Eng), Kyle Walker (Eng)
MID: Bukayo Saka (Eng), Marco Verratti (Ita), Jorginho (Ita), Federico Chiesa (Ita)
FW: Raheem Sterling (Eng), Harry Kane (Eng)
Though being in stiff competition with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jordan Pickford is undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in the tournament. His guard has been breached only once that too from a set-play in the semis, a magnificent Mikel Damsgaaard free-kick, in the entire tournament. Added by his important saves and a fascinating defensive four. For that, the three defenders are English in this team. Chiellini is the only Italian defender included for he looks to be in his prime every time he takes on the pitch.
Leonardo Spinazzola would have definitely cut but for his injury, Luka Shaw gets the left-back role. That is not only the reason though because the 25-year-old offered three important assists to the forward line in the knockout rounds getting England here.
However, the midfield is dominated by Italy. Kalvin Philips and Declan Rice has been great for England but Verratti and Jorginho have provided the stem for the Azzurri's even if they haven't performed to the expected level in certain periods of the game played. Without question, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling are the best forward partnership in the Euros. Both have combined to eight goals so far making them deadly.
Match Prediction: Italy 2-1 England (AET)
England have massive home support and there is no place better than Wembley plus there won't be any traveling Italian supporters for Covid restrictions. It felt like the tournament is hosted by the nation itself as the Three Lions traveled only once in the entire tournament. Yet their journey won't end sweetly like the time they hosted and won the 1966 World Cup. Italy seems to have a little more quality to land the prestigious prize. Their first taste since 1968 Euros.
The game can spring beyond the normal and the result may lie with the team boasting more fitness than the other. Italy has played more extra time than England so it can prove to be a factor for them being crown champions. Although, it can still go to penalties.
