Italy and Spain will clash on Tuesday, July 6, at Wembley Stadium for the first semi-finals match of the tournament. These sides last met back during World Cup qualifiers in 2017, when Spain won 3-0, having managed only two draws and a loss in the three games prior.
Italy vs Spain
When: Tuesday, July 6 – 20:00 GMT
Where: Wembley Stadium in London, England
Weather: Partly cloudy, 17°C
Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
There are only four teams left in EURO 2020. In addition to Italy and Spain, England and Denmark are also still in the competition. Online sportsbooks think England is most likely to become the new champions of the continent at 2.50, with Italy and Spain coming just behind with 3.25 and 3.75 odds, respectively.
The fact that they got to the semis is proof of these teams’ quality. Still, the truth is that Italian players have been much more impressive than the La Roja.
Italy Showing Exceptional Form
Italy team have scored 11 goals so far this tournament and allowed only two. They were nothing short of brilliant in the group stage, where they won all three games, with a total score difference of 7-0.
Italy struggled a bit in the first round of the knockout stage against Austria but managed to secure the win in the extra time. They also had some problems in the quarterfinal, but that’s understandable. After all, they played against the #1 team in the FIFA Rankings, Belgium.
The Azzurri won that match 2-1, with Belgium attacking with all they got in the last 15 minutes. However, that wasn’t only because Belgium were fired up; it mainly because Roberto Mancini instructed his men to play defensively and keep their score intact.
We saw the Italians doing all they can to make Belgium players lose their nerves. They were committing fouls, delaying play, making their injuries seem worse than they actually were. Some would say it’s not the way athletes should behave, but as Italy proved, that’s the way to win matches at big competitions.
Italy have an excellent manager who is capable of outsmarting any opponent. They also have players experienced enough to do so. Against Spain, all of their crucial players will be there, with the exception of Leonardo Spinazzola, who injured his Achilles heel against Belgium.
Unconvincing Spain Hoping Luck Will Be on Their Side
Spain made it to the semi-final of the EURO 2020, so you can’t say that this isn’t a decent squad. However, there’s no denying that luck also had to do a lot with their deep run.
Spain started their EURO 2020 campaign with two draws (against Poland and Sweden) before thrashing Slovakia 5-0. Then, in the knockout stage, La Roja beat Croatia 5-3, with two goals in the extra time. Finally, in their most recent match, the Spanish defeated the Swiss on penalties.
They haven’t been very convincing so far, making their fans lose their nerves many times already. However, La Roja have been pretty decent in the centre of the pitch, keeping their possession and creating a plethora of chances.
Their skipper Sergio Busquets has been showing good form, and so has his Barcelona teammate Pedri, who has covered more ground than any other player in the EURO 2020.
Spain’s main problem is that their attackers haven’t been very precise in most of the matches. Sure, they scored five goals in two games, but we also saw them missing plenty of opportunities in other matches.
With that in mind, finding the back of the net against Italy could be a major problem for them, especially knowing that they’re going to miss Pablo Sarabia in tonight’s clash.
Italy vs Spain Betting Picks
Against Switzerland, Spain had 27 goal attempts, but only one went in. Against Italy, they’re not going to get so many opportunities.
Instead, we can expect Italy to be the ones to dominate the game. Spain are a good team, but they’re sloppy and if there is one team that can punish them, it’s Italy.
Pick: Italy -0.50 Asian Handicap
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