Euro 2020 Semifinal: Italy vs Spain

Italy and Spain vying for a spot in the final of Euro 2020

The last time Italy and Spain met in a major tournament was back in the round of 16 of Euro 2016. On that occasion, the Italians came out on top thanks to goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Graziano Pellè.

Given the journey to the semifinals for both sides, Italy enter the match as favorites.

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Italy breezed through the group stage, were taken to extra time by Austria and did enough to get past Belgium.

Spain, on the other hand, stumbled through the group stage and needed a win against Slovakia to ultimately come in second in their group. Span looked to have turned things around against Croatia only to blow a two-goal lead and then win in extra time. Switzerland took Spain all the way to penalties where goalkeeper Unai Simon proved to be the hero.

The focus on the match is likely going to focus on the midfield. Spain’s midfield is not what it once was but it has a nice mix with the youthfulness of Pedri accompanied by the experience of Koke and Sergio Busquets.

"“I don’t think both of us can dominate, so it’ll be interesting to see who wins this tussle,” said Spain manager Luis Enrique. “Apart from having top players, Italy are a real team. They attack and defend as a unit, which is really similar to what we do.“They also employ a high press, which it would be hard to imagine an Italian side from the past doing. Now they’re strong in several ways of playing, meaning that the game will be really interesting. Both teams will have their moments.”Source: UEFA"

Italy counters with a stellar midfield of their own with the likes of Jorginho, Marco Verratti and Nicolò Barella. They also have game changers on the bench such as Manuel Locatelli who has been one of the revelations of Euro 2020.

Spain will be a bit of a different opponent for Italy than the Belgians. In keeping with their style, Spain like to have a lot of the ball. Italy do too so it will be interesting to see how either team reacts when they don’t have possession.

"“It will be difficult, even if Spain are different from Belgium,” said Italy manager Roberto Mancini. “It will not be the same kind of game compared to the previous one, but it will present many difficulties for sure.“Spain have been extraordinary for years, even if now there has been a change and they are a younger side. They have a good coach and very good players.”Source: UEFA"

Despite some of the narrative surrounding Spain, they have played decent in the majority of their games. They’ve created chances but have been unable to convert them. This was the case even against Croatia and Slovakia where they scored five goals in both of those games.

Up top, both Ciro Immobile and Álvaro Morata have had a tough time finding the back of the net. It would not be a surprise if the final margin ends up being determined by which of the two strikers is more clinical.

There is a lot riding on the game as the winner will book a spot in the final. For Italy, reaching it would be a sort of vindication to how much they’ve improved under Mancini.

For Spain, it would mean they are on the right track under Luis Enrique after disappointing showings in both Euro 2020 and the 2018 World Cup.