When Italy will take on old rivals Spain on Tuesday, two continental titans will meet at the Wembley stadium in the Euro 2020 semi-finals. In a rematch of the one-sided 2012 final between the two proud nations, both teams are aiming for a place in the championship’s final game. Here is our expert guess on Italy vs Spain Euro 2020 semi-finals prediction and lineup.
Team news
Italy Lineup: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
Leonardo Spinazzola suffered an Achilles injury in Italy’s 2-1 win over Belgium, hence he is ruled out from the semi-final match of Euro 2020. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Alessandro Florenzi are considered to replace Spinazzola but Emerson is also a favorite for the same.
In attack, Roberto Mancini must make a decision. In the previous quarter-final match, Ciro Immobile had a dismal performance against Belgium, and Andrea Belotti is threatening to take his place in the starting lineup, but Federico Chiesa is expected to preserve his spot.
Spain lineup: Simon; Azpilicueta, Laporte, Torres, Alba; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Torres, Morata, Olmo
Pablo Sarabia will have an MRI scan for an adductor ailment. Ferran Torres is a possible replacement for Sarabia, who was a significant doubt against Switzerland.
Luis Enrique is unlikely to make wholesale changes to his starting lineup, with Pau Torres starting ahead of Eric Garcia against Switzerland, with the Villarreal defender set to preserve his place alongside Aymeric Laporte.
For a starting berth up front against Switzerland, Gerard Moreno squandered his chance to seriously challenge Alvaro Morata.
Prediction
Italy ensured Belgium’s elimination from Euro 2020 with a 2-1 win over the Red Devils in Munich. From the last-16 onwards, the Azzurri haven’t been at their barnstorming group stage best, but they’ve been difficult to break down, which is crucial.
In the first semi-final of Euro 2020 and clinch a place in the final Italy should be able to take advantage of Spain’s profligacy.
This match is predicted to be extremely tough with only a few moments of individual quality likely to separate them over the course of 90 minutes – and probably longer.
Italy may make it to the final because of their superior cutting edge when it counts. Spain, on the other hand, can deny them possession and disrupt their mesmerizing rhythm, thus they cannot be ruled out.
Our Prediction: Italy 2-1 Spain
