Italy vs Spain Euro 2020 semi-final preview

Italy take on Spain in the semi-final of the European Championships in a repeat of the Euro 2012 final that saw the dominant Spaniards beat the Azzurri 4-0 in Kyiv. While it is unlikely we will see a repeat of that scoreline again in Wembley, this semi-final encounter between the two highest-scoring teams of the tournament is set to be an incredibly exciting affair.

Italy breezed past their opposition on the route to Wembley and are the only team to have won every single game in the competition so far. Spain, on the other hand, have had a slightly less straightforward route to the final – finishing second in their group before beating Croatia 5-3 after extra-time in the last 16 and then edging past Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Tactical Preview

Both Italy and Spain play with a 4-3-3 and this semi-final will be an interesting tactical matchup between two of the best managers in the competition.

Just like the Euro 2012 final nine years ago, this tie will be won and lost in the midfield battle. The Spanish midfielders – Sergio Busquets (32), Pedri (18) and Koke (29) – have been the engine room for Luis Enrique’s side this summer but will have their task cut out for them against Italy’s midfield trio – Jorginho (29), Verratti (28) and Nicolo Barella (24) – who have excelled for their respective clubs in recent times and are at the peak of their powers. 

Players to watch out for

Jorginho is Italy’s answer to Sergio Busquets and has been one of their unsung heroes so far in the tournament. The deep-lying playmaker orchestrates Italy’s game with and without the ball and was particularly impressive in the 2-1 win over Belgium, completing 71 of his 72 passes in the game.

For Spain, 18-year-old wonderkid Pedri has been one of the best players at the tournament and has played virtually every minute for Luis Enrique’s side in the lead up to the semi-final. The Barcelona star has topped the chance creation metrics amongst midfielders at Euro 2020 and if Spain are to progress to the final, Pedri will play a key role in unlocking the stubborn Italian defence.

Team News

Italy

Unfortunately for Italy, they will be without Leonardo Spinazzola for the remainder of the tournament after the AS Roma defender ruptured his Achilles tendon in the victory over Belgium and is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines. Spinazzola will be replaced by Chelsea defender Emerson in the starting XI and will be a big miss for the Azzurri, having played an integral part in their run to the semi-final.

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

Spain

Spain have some injury problems of their own with winger Pablo Sarabia unlikely to feature in the semi-final due to a hip problem. Sarabia has 3 goals and assists so far in the tournament for La Roja and is expected to be replaced by RB Leipzig forward Dani Olmo.Probable XI: Unai Simon, Cesar Azpilicueta, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Koke, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo