Italy-England is a match from the first day of Euro 2024 qualifying group C and is played on Thursday at 20:45: TV, likely formations, predictions.
It’s Italy vs England again. Just like a year and a half ago, at Wembley, in that unforgettable magical night that brought the Azzurri back on the throne of Europe after more than half a century. But also like in the last Nations League, with the team coached by Roberto Mancini who, despite the strong disappointment for the second consecutive World Cup missed, denied the English their revenge, condemning them to relegation to League B.
The two teams face each other in the qualifiers for the European Championship in Germany, scheduled for summer 2024: the first two in the group, which also includes Ukraine, Malta and North Macedonia, qualify directly. It starts with a thrilling clash at the ‘Maradona’ stadium in Naples, where the Azzurri have not played for more than ten years. Getting off on the right foot is crucial, in light of the difficulties Italy has encountered in recent qualifying campaigns. There have been three meetings between Mancini and his colleague Gareth Southgate since 2021: in the final of the European Championships, regulation and extra time ended 1-1 (after which Italy won on penalties); a draw (0-0) and a victory for the Azzurri (1-0) in the group phase of the Nations League.
Retegui
Ordian Retegui
The Azzurri are called upon to defend the continental title, but above all they will have to open a new cycle. England, on the other hand, are a mature team, now ready to win something important, but that long-awaited breakthrough continues to fail to arrive: disappointing was also the World Cup expedition to Qatar, where the English team’s run was interrupted in the quarter-finals against Mbappé’s France, the reigning champions.
Southgate
Italy had taken their leave in November with a poor performance in the friendly against Austria, after beating Albania 3-1 in Tirana. Mancini will repropose the usual 4-3-3 but in attack, the absences are numerous. Chiesa, Immobile, Zaniolo and Raspadori are missing, which is why Mateo Retegui, a promising Argentine forward from Tigre with Italian ancestry whom the coach has managed to convince to join the Azzurri. Berardi and Pellegrini should play on his flank, with Gnonto ready to take over as the game progresses. In midfield, the Barellla-Jorginho-Verratti trio will be back, while in defence the two centre-backs will be Acerbi and Toloi, with Di Lorenzo and Spinazzola on the outside. Specular form for Southgate, who will have to choose one of Foden and Grealish in the offensive trident to flank the irreplaceable Saka and Kane. In the middle, the mainstay is Bellingham, while Rashford, injured in the FA Cup match between Manchester United and Fulham, will be absent. Italy are unbeaten in six matches against the English, who have not won at home since 1961.
The Prediction
England undoubtedly have more quality than the Azzurri, who are also struggling with several formation problems, distributed between attack and defence. But one cannot underestimate the fact that in the last three previous matches, Italy have somehow managed to overturn the predictions, a sign that the English suffer the selection coached by Mancini. Who, once again, should manage to avoid defeat in a match with at least one goal each side. It would not be a surprise if the first half ended in a draw. Finally, watch out for cautions: yellow cards may not be in short supply, as in the last three matches there have never been less than three in total.
The Italy-England line-ups
- ITALIA (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Acerbi, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Berardi, Retegui, Pellegrini.
- INGHILTERRA (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham, Henderson; Saka, Kane, Grealish.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
