Euro 2020 Preview – Italy and Spain Set For Semi-Final Showdown!

Euro 2020 Preview – Italy and Spain Set For Semi-Final Showdown! The European Champions are coming to an exciting close with only three matches remaining.

Italy and Spain are set for a date tonight in the first Euro 2020 semi-final. The two teams have come across each other every time since 2008 in the tournament.

Both teams have demonstrated superb quality in their march to the last 4 of the tournament. This is a fixture worthy of a final itself.

In 2008, they met in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals, where Spain won on penalties. In 2012, they met in the group stages and drew 1-1 at Euro 2012.

They met again in the final and it was a far different story. Spain thrashed Italy 4-0 to win their second consecutive European Championship.

In 2016, under Antonio Conte, Italy was finally able to get the better of Spain. They won 2-0 in the round of 16.

“It’s true that Laporte didn’t train yesterday and that’s true of one other player but just for recuperation.” Spain coach Luis Enrique told the press.

“They did static bicycle and general recuperation but the rest are in good shape physically. Except Pablo Sarabia, who won’t be available to us tomorrow.

“The experience of getting through the quarter-final in the way we did was positive. We had deserved to go through before penalties but still managed to win.

“We have to centre ourselves in the test which is coming up because we want to play in the final. Right now it’s business time.

Roberto Mancini has been able to give Italy resurgence in his time as coach.

“It will be difficult, even if Spain are different from Belgium.” Mancini tells the media.

“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.” He said.

• Italy vs. Spain
  • 6 July 2021
  • Wembley Stadium, London

Euro 2020 Preview – Italy and Spain Set For Semi-Final Showdown!