The Euro 2020 final between the national football teams of Italy and England will be played at Wembley Stadium in London.
Italy delights football fans
Italy is undoubtedly the most attractive team in this European Football Championship.
Squadra Azura is no longer the boring defensive team with that simple 5-4-1 from the recent past.
None of what happened around their total transformation is accidental.
In the 2020/21 season, Serie A was the most spectacular and attractive championship on the continent.
As unpleasant as it is for someone to hear that.
There was no way not to build incredible footballers in such conditions.
Which now give Roberto Mancini enough depth. And in all positions of the team.
A mix of intelligent attackers.
Supported by a dynamic and creative midline.
Secured by extremely experienced protection.
This is now the Italian team.
Who beat all his rivals without Spain according to xG data . And this is the surest indicator of the qualities of this team.
What are Italy's problems?
However, there are two big problems for the Italians. Which will tip the scales in favor of England.
Problem # 1
Italy has no players who have burned in important title fights or in a big football forum this season.
You know that Italian clubs have failed in Euro tournaments.
This automatically means that the Azzurri do not have a player to explode and make a difference in the final match.
Problem # 2
Spain clearly showed in 120 minutes what are the weaknesses of Italy.
With the personal coverage of the three Azur midfielders, the Spanish team gained total superiority in possession.
Italy knows how, but it is not a team that plays counter-attacks.
And the Spaniards have shown how effectively they can be taken out of their comfort zone.
England plays as champions
England is undoubtedly the other deserving candidate for the title. And this is reported by all impartial connoisseurs of football.
The Three Lions crushed all their xGF rivals ( expected goals scored ).
And this is the most reliable and impartial judge for what is happening on the field.
England showed several different approaches in their meetings, fully meeting their needs for results.
But what they were incredibly consistent about was restricting opponents from creating goal opportunities.
Some may not like the game of the Three Lions. But the winners are not judged.
Does England deserve a place?
There were the most objections to England's victory against Denmark in the Euro 2020 semifinals.
They called it "fair as a game, but dishonest."
Yes, it shouldn't have really happened with this penalty. But it certainly had to happen anyway.
The three Lions did not allow the Danes to create any quality goal position. Against several of them for themselves.
xG data for the semifinals are: England - 3.27, Denmark - 0.30. That says it all.
Forecast for Italy - England
More important for such a final match, however, is something else.
The English national football team is full of players who have reached the finals of the Euro club tournaments.
They have been burned in such trophy fights. And they have their experience.
Each of them can decide this final of Euro 2020.
In addition, England are not so predictable and therefore easy to counter team.
Gareth Southgate has shown that he can change the scheme. And from 4-2-3-1, and 4-3-3 and even 3-4-3 according to the tactics he wants to apply.
No one, except himself, can guess the starting lineup for each match.
They are unpredictable. And therefore difficult to analyze by rivals.
England is the new and well-deserved European champion. Whose tactics will be analyzed long after the end of the championship.
Gareth Southgate has created a new football history for his country.
Probable starting lineups
Italy : Donaruma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Georgino, Verati; Chiesa, Imobile, Insigne.
- Out: Spinazola
England : Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Phillips; Saka, Mount, Stirling; Kane.
Top facts and statistics for the match
- Italy have not lost in their last 33 games: 26-7-0.
- Italy have conceded just 2 goals in their last 14 games.
- He has under 2.5 goals in 3 of Italy's last 4 games.
- England is in a series of 12 games without a loss: 10-2-0.
- England have conceded just one goal in their last eight games.
- He has under 2.5 goals in 7 of England's last 8 games.
- Italy have lost just 1 of their last 11 games against England: 6-4-1.
- There are goals / goals in the last 4 matches between the two teams.
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