Italy vs England: Euro 2020 final team news and prediction

 

50 games played and 22 teams down - It's Euro 2020 final time. Italy face England at Wembley and you can be sure there will be a raucous atmosphere in London on Sunday. Italy are unbeaten in 33 matches, last losing a game back in September 2018, when they lost 1-0 to Portugal. 

 

On top of that, England haven't beaten the Azzurri in a major competitive game since a 1978 World Cup qualifying 2-0 win, so something has to give if the Three Lions are to land silverware for the first time since 1966. 

 

Ahead of the Euro 2020 final, we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place. Running through important team news, probable XIs and how both teams have fared at the competition so far. 

 

 

When is kick off?    

Sunday 11th July, 20:00 GMT    

Where is the match?    

Wembley, London (England)   

What TV channel is it on?    

BBC One / ITV  

 

Route to the final 

 

Italy set out their intentions to leave a lasting impression at Euro 2020 in the first game at the competition as they kicked off the tournament with a resounding 3-0 victory over Turkey. The Azzurri followed that up with comfortable wins over Switzerland and Wales as they topped Group A with maximum points and no goals conceded. 

 

However, they were taken to exra time against Austria in the last-16, as goals from Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina secured a 2-1 win. They repeated the result against Belgium in the quarter-finals, and secured their place in the Euro 2020 final in a penalty shootout semi-final success over Spain after Chiesa's opening goal was cancelled out by club teammate Alvaro Morata in normal time, with Jorginho slotting the winning penalty past Unai Simon 

 

England weren't as spectacular as the Italians in Group D. The Three Lions barely had to get out of second gear to beat Croatia 1-0 at Wembley last month. Gareth Southgate and England came under criticism as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Scotland, but a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic meant they topped their group with seven points and no goals conceded from three matches. 

 

The Three Lions' finest moment at Euro 2020 so far came in a 2-0 win over Germany as goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane saw them defeat their European rivals at Wembley. The latter struck twice at the Olimpico to help seal a rampant 4-0 win over Ukraine, while Kane's winner in extra time over Denmark saw them secure a place in a major tournament final for the first time since 1966. 

 

Team News 

 

The main concern for Roberto Mancini from the semi-final win over Spain is the fitness of Federico Chiesa. The winger was forced off in the shootout success at Wembley and Domenico Berardi is ready in reserve to deputise if required. Emerson is expected to continue at left-back in place of the injured Leonardo Spinazzola, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is absent. Alessandro Florenzi made the bench against Spain, but expect Mancini to continue with Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right-back with the Azzurri boss unlikely to make any changes unless required. 

 

Gareth Southgate has no pressing injury concerns for Sunday's Euro 2020 final. The issue now is whether to continue with the 4-2-3-1 setup used in the wins over Ukraine and Denmark or change to a three-man defence as we saw against Germany. With plenty of options in the final third, Southgate is likely to use the former system and continue with Bukayo Saka on the right. However, as the England boss demonstrated against Denmark, he has the tactical flexibility to change his system depending on the opponents and the situation within the game itself. 

 

Probable XIs 

 

Italy vs England: Euro 2020 final team news and prediction

 

Italy (433) - Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Verratti, Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Immoible, Insigne 

 

England (4231) - Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Phillips, Rice; Saka, Mount, Sterling; Kane 

 

Key Battle: Ciro Immobile vs Harry Kane

 

Ciro Immobile's Euro 2020 campaign got off to a flyer as he netted in wins over Turkey and Switzerland, with many backing the experienced Italian to go on and lift the Golden Boot, firing Italy to glory in the process. However, since getting off to a sprint start, Immobile has struggled to replicate his early tournament form in front of goal.

 

Italy vs England: Euro 2020 final team news and prediction

 

In his three knockout stage outings, the 31-year-old has failed to hit the back of the net, though he did provide the assist for Federico Chiesa's strike in the semi-final win over Spain. More was to be expected from Immobile at Euro 2020 and while he has had a direct hand in four of Italy's 12 goals, few would back the claim he has had a standout tournament.

 

While Immobile has struggled in the knockout stages, Harry Kane has come alive after a sub-par group stage campaign. The England captain was poor against Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic, managing just five shots. However, Kane has upped his game and then some when it mattered.

 

Now in with a shout of the Golden Boot having netted four times in three knockout stage games, Kane is looking to score the key goals that will see England land silverware for the first time since 1966. The 27-year-old may have started slowly, yet the Three Lions skipper is aiming to finish Euro 2020 with not only the Golden Boot, but a winners medal around his neck.

 

Score Prediction: Italy 1-1 England

Italy vs England: Euro 2020 final team news and prediction