Euro 2020 final preview: Four key battles for Italy vs England
After 50 games played, one more will determine the winner of Euro 2020. Italy take on England at Wembley tonight with the opportunity to write their name into the history books.
Gareth Southgate's side have won the hearts of the nation through their football and attitude off the pitch, and supporters are hoping they can secure one more win to land a first major international trophy since 1966. Italy though are prepared to spoil the party in London and having impressed throughout the competition, the Azzurri would be deserving winners.
Ahead of tonight's huge game, we have picked out four key battles to keep an eye on at Wembley tonight.
Gianluigi Donnarumma vs Jordan Pickford
Italy have conceded just one goal from open play in their last 14 matches, that Alvaro Morata's equaliser in the Azzurri's penalty shootout win over Spain in the semi-finals. A key reason for their success has been the watertight backline, with Gianluigi Donnarumma a solid last line of defence. The shotstopper's WhoScored rating of 6.92 is the best of all goalkeepers to have featured for their nation beyond the knockout stages.
Jordan Pickford (6.80) isn't that far behind Donnarumma, while a save success rate of 84.6% is the third best at Euro 2020. The England number one has conceded just one goal at the competition as he was unable to deny Mikkel Damsgaard from bagging the first free-kick of Euro 2020 at Wembley in midweek. In this key battle, the stronger performer between the sticks is likely to help his nation to glory tonight.
Giorgio Chiellini vs Harry Maguire
Giorgio Chiellini drew plenty of attention on social media for his antics prior to Italy's penalty shootout win over Spain. Whether tactics to disrupt Jordi Alba before the coin toss or Chiellini just being Chiellini, it proved decisive as Italy booked their place in the Euro 2020 final. The warrior of a centre-back is looking to maximise his winning mentality in order to help Italy to European Championship success in London tonight.
However, Harry Maguire will have other ideas. England have been all the better for his return to the side following injury and it's highlighted in his WhoScored rating of 7.75, that the second best at the competition. Towering in the air, only Kamil Glik (90.9%) has a better aerial success rate than Maguire (85%) of the 104 players to contest 10 or more aerial duels at Euro 2020. If Italy do go direct, then supporters will feel confident that the 28-year-old will counter the threat with ease.
Jorginho vs Kalvin Phillips
As the Ballon d'Or shouts grow louder, Italy will be expecting Jorginho to put in another solid display at the base of the midfield. The Chelsea man was crucial in the Blues' Champions League success and he has been essential to Italy's progression to the Euro 2020 final, having made more tackles and interceptions combined (31) than any other player at the tournament. Eight interceptions against Spain was a record in a Euro 2020 match and a similarly controlling display vastly improves Italy's chances of success at Wembley.
Kalvin Phillips has been a key man in the middle of the park for England and it's a testament to his development that he had never played Premier League football prior to this season, yet is now first choice for Gareth Southgate's side. The Leeds man has been essential in breaking up play in the middle of the park for the Three Lions, noted in returns of 1.7 fouls, one interception and 0.5 tackles per 90 for England this summer. Euro 2020 success tonight would really cap a fine 12 months for the 25-year-old.
Lorenzo Insigne vs Raheem Sterling
Scoring in wins over Switzerland and Belgium, Italy supporters are hopeful that Lorenzo Insigne can find the back of the net for the third time running at Euro 2020. The pint-sized attacker has had more shots on target (5) than any other player for Italy this summer and a favoured approach of cutting in from the left to go for goal on his right is a route England need to be wary of tonight.
Raheem Sterling was crucial in England's 2-1 semi-final win over Denmark as he forced the Simon Kjaer own goal that drew the Three Lions level and then won the penalty for Harry Kane's winning goal. Sterling completed nine dribbles in that victory, a record in a game at Euro 2020, and his three goals and one assist this summer highlights how he has come good when needed for England. The 26-year-old has certainly proved his doubters wrong at the competition, that's for sure.
