England vs Italy Euro 2020 Final Preview

After 27 days, 50 games and 140 goals, we have our two finalists for the 2020 European Championships as Italy take on England at Wembley. There have been plenty of heart-stopping moments at this action-packed Euro 2020, and a clash between two European heavyweights is a fitting finale for one of the most memorable major tournaments in recent history.

Both Italy and England have been two of the best teams in the tournament but have reached the final playing two completely different styles of football. The Azzurri, rather uncharacteristically, have been one of the most free-flowing attacking teams of the competition, while England have reached the final thanks to their defensive solidity and discipline.

Italy dominated the group stages with three wins from three before knocking out Austria, Belgium and then Spain via penalties on the road to the final. Gareth Southgate’s side meanwhile have gathered momentum as the tournament wore on, beating Germany, Ukraine and Denmark in the knockout stages.

There is very little to separate these two teams heading into the final, with Italy going unbeaten in their last 34 international games while England having won 15 of their last 17 fixtures at Wembley, scoring 46 goals in the process and conceding only five.

Tactical Preview

While Italy and England have occasionally dazzled offensively, they have also been the best two defensive teams of the tournament, which means Sunday’s final should be an incredibly tight affair that could be decided by one moment of magic.

One key battle that will decide the outcome of the final will be how Harry Kane deals with the stubborn Italian defence. Spain caused Italy huge problems in the semi-final with Dani Olmo dropping deep as a false nine and creating midfield overloads, and Harry Kane could do a similar job for England that would drag the Italian centre-backs – Chiellini and Bonucci – out of position and open up spaces for Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka to run into.

Players to watch out for

Raheem Sterling has been the man of the moment for England this summer, causing opposition defenders plenty of problems with his lightning pace and incredible movement. Sterling has four goals and assists at Euro 2020 and has consistently stood up in key moments for England this summer and provided that cutting edge in the final third.

For Italy, Federico Chiesa has been the difference-maker in the knockout phase and could play an important role for in the final. The Juventus forward is coming off an incredible season with Juventus, and his trickery and directness will be a major threat to the English backline.

Probable XI’s

England: Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane

Italy: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giovani Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Emerson Palmieri, Jorginho, Nicolo Barella, Marco Verratti, Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne