Italy – England, final
Kick-off: 21.00.
Arena: Wembley i London.
TV / Radio: TV4 / C More / Radiosporten P4
Champion at home: For the second time in England’s history, the “Three Lions” have reached a final in a major championship, and just like when they won the World Cup in 1966, it takes place at home.
Portugal had the opportunity to take the title at home against Greece in the final in 2004, but failed. France was in the same position in 2016, but then lost to Portugal. England could become the first nation to win the European Championship at home since France succeeded in the feat in 1984.
Despite the corona pandemic, the British government has opened to over 60,000 spectators at Wembley in London during the semi-finals earlier this week and into the final tonight. It will boil over in the national arena when England are looking to break the long championship curse.
Historical advantage: In total, Italy has won 10 of 27 matches between the teams, compared to England’s eight victories. In a competition context, the advantage is even greater.
England have not won in the last six attempts against Italy in competitive matches (two crosses, four losses). We have to back the band to the World Cup qualifier in 1978 to find a victory for the English.
The last time the major nations met in a European Championship play-off was in the quarter-finals in the Ukrainian capital Kiev in 2012. Italy then won on penalties after a goalless event. Two players in today’s squad played that match: Italian midfielder Leonardo Bonucci and England midfielder Jordan Henderson. Salvatore Sirigu and Giorgio Chiellini were in Italy’s squad, but sat on the bench.
Offensive threats: England’s biggest offensive threat is undoubtedly the duo Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling. Team captain Kane is on four goals in the tournament so far and is chasing Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick who lead the shooting league on five hits. Manchester City star Sterling has accounted for three goals, and has been a constant threat from his side. In the semi-final against Denmark, it was he who got past his defender and fixed the decisive penalty.
Italy will probably like to see striker Ciro Immobile find his way back to the form he showed during the start of the tournament. He became a goal scorer in the first two matches, but since then it has been harder. During the playoffs, it was instead the windy 23-year-old Federico Chiesa who threatened most in the offensive direction. He cracked the goal zero against Austria in overtime in the round of 16 and scored “Gli Azzurris” only goal against Spain in the semis. Beyond that, Lorenzo Insigne is the offensive hub on the left wing.
This is how it went in the semifinals: Italy played 1-1 against Spain for 120 minutes, and then won the match on penalties. England’s semi-final against Denmark also went to extra time, but there Harry Kane decided on a penalty return and put 2-1 in the 104th minute.
Italy, possible starting eleven: 21 Gianluigi Donnarumma – 2 Giovanni Di Lorenzo, 19 Leonardo Bonucci, 3 Giorgio Chiellini, 13 Emerson – 18 Nicolo Barella, 8 Jorginho, 6 Marco Verratti – 14 Federico Chiesa, 17 Ciro Immobile, 10 Lorenzo Insigne.
Federation captain: Roberto Mancini.
England, possible starting eleven: 1 Jordan Pickford – 2 Kyle Walker, 5 John Stones, 6 Harry Maguire, 3 Luke Shaw – 14 Kalvin Phillips, 4 Declan Rice, 25 Bukayo Saka, 19 Mason Mount, 10 Raheem Sterling – 9 Harry Kane.
Federation captain: Gareth Southgate.
Judge: Björn Kuipers, The Netherlands.
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