Date: Sunday 11th July, 2021
Time: 8:00 pm
Stadium Wembley
Referee Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands)
Goal Scorer: Luke Shaw 2'
Team News
Italy
Apart from the absence of Leonardo Spinazzola due to the injury he picked up against Belgium, Italy have no major fitness concerns heading into the final on Sunday. Roberto Mancini will have a near full-strength squad to pick from, with the Italy boss expected to set his team up in a 4-3-3 setup as usual against England.
At the base of the three-man midfield unit, Jorginho will have a major role to play in stopping England from building attacks while also aiding Italy to control the proceedings with his razor-sharp distribution. Nicolo Barella and Marco Verratti ought to take up the remaining two midfield slots, with the duo tasked with pressing the English players incessantly while also providing a creative outlet going forward.
Federico Chiesa has been preferred to Domenico Berardi in the quarter-final and semi-final clashes. And having repaid his manager’s faith with a well-taken goal against Spain, the winger is likely to be retained on the right, ahead of Domenico Berardi. On the left, there is no looking past the livewire Lorenzo Insigne, who can pose a serious threat to the England defence with his infield runs from the wide areas.
Ciro Immobile is yet to fire at the Euros but is likely to be preferred as the No.9 against the physical English defence. However, there is the possibility of Mancini opting to use Insigne as a false nine, flanked by Chiesa and Berardi.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
Form Guide: Italy: WWWWW
England
England have been hit with a fresh injury scare heading into the final as Phil Foden has picked up a knock in training on the eve of the game. It remains to be seen if the Manchester City ace recovers in time for the big game. Apart from him, Gareth Southgate has no other issues and has plenty of options in the attacking unit in case Foden does get ruled out.
The England manager has preferred the 4-2-3-1 formation for the majority of the Euros and is unlikely to ditch it for a three-man defensive unit that he has used in the past, for the game against Italy. Jordan Pickford will man the goal for the Three Lions, shielded by the backline of John Stones and Harry Maguire, who have been rock-solid in recent games
Kyle Walker is a certainty at right-back ahead of former Tottenham teammate Kieran Trippier while Luke Shaw will slot in on the left. The Manchester United star has been in top form, acting as one of England’s key chance-creators, but will have his task cut out against the lively Chiesa on Sunday.
Jordan Henderson has been making a claim for more regular involvement with each passing game. And while his experience could be handy for a game of this magnitude, Southgate should back the duo of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips for the double pivot, considering the brilliant job that the two have done so far.
Mason Mount, meanwhile, will slot in as the No. 10, looking to escape the attention of club teammate Jorginho and create openings for his attackers. Raheem Sterling and captain Harry Kane are nailed on for two of the three spots in attack. On the right, it will be interesting to see who Southgate opts to go with, with Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka both viable options. The latter could be retained after a bright display against Denmark.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Phillips; Saka, Mount, Sterling; Kane
Form Guide: England: WWWWD
Quote
Key Stats
This will be the 28th meeting between Italy and England. Of the previous 27, the former have picked up eleven wins, while the latter have won eight times, with the remaining eight ending in draws.
This is Italy’s 10th major tournament final appearance (6 World Cup, 4 Euros). Having won the 1968 European Championship, the Azzurri have lost in each of their last two finals in the competition in 2000 and 2012.
This will be the first-ever appearance for England in a European Championship final and their first final of a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup. It is the longest gap between major final appearances (World Cup/Euros) for any European nation (55 years).
Italy have never lost against England at a major tournament (W3 D1). The Azzurri won 1-0 at Euro 1980, 2-1 at both the 1990 and 2014 World Cups and won 4-2 on penalties at Euro 2012 after a goalless draw.
England have won 15 of their last 17 matches at Wembley (D1 L1), scoring 46 goals and conceding just five in that run. They are unbeaten in their last 12 matches in all competitions (W11 D1).
This will be the 28th meeting between Italy and England. Of the previous 27, the former have picked up eleven wins, while the latter have won eight times, with the remaining eight ending in draws.
This is Italy’s 10th major tournament final appearance (6 World Cup, 4 Euros). Having won the 1968 European Championship, the Azzurri have lost in each of their last two finals in the competition in 2000 and 2012.
This will be the first-ever appearance for England in a European Championship final and their first final of a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup. It is the longest gap between major final appearances (World Cup/Euros) for any European nation (55 years).
Italy have never lost against England at a major tournament (W3 D1). The Azzurri won 1-0 at Euro 1980, 2-1 at both the 1990 and 2014 World Cups and won 4-2 on penalties at Euro 2012 after a goalless draw.
England have won 15 of their last 17 matches at Wembley (D1 L1), scoring 46 goals and conceding just five in that run. They are unbeaten in their last 12 matches in all competitions (W11 D1).
Prediction: Italy 1-2 England (After Extra time)
| Posted: at | |
gogoman
constigoldo
TRENDING GISTS 
Ekiti Police Arrests Man, Babatunde Olaoluwa Who Specializes In Stealing Phones During Church Service
Joyous Celebration As Nigerian Couple Welcomes Twins After 11-Year Wait (Video)
300L Female Student, Yahaya Aisha Olabisi Of ADUSTECH Found Dead In Her Off-campus Apartment (Photos)
Rights Group Urges Imo Police to Investigate Alleged Collusion by DPO To Obstruct Justice