Spain vs Italy: Preview, predictions and lineups

Two of FIFA’s high ten ranked nations meet in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday evening on the halfway level of the Euro 2024 group phases when Spain face Italy in Group B.

From Germany’s dazzling fluidity to Romania’s plucky underdog grit, there have been some standout collective shows on Matchday 1, however Spain’s environment friendly dismantling of Croatia was maybe probably the most spectacular. Spain raced right into a 3-0 lead in opposition to the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists on Saturday earlier than holding Zlatko Dalic’s facet at arm’s size within the second interval.

Luis de la Fuente’s facet have advanced significantly from the all-conquering era of 2008 to 2012, with the most recent iteration of La Furia Roja combining technical wizardry with velocity and directness in large areas. One other huge take a look at now beckons within the type of the holders.

Expectations weren’t so grand for Italy heading into the match in comparison with three years in the past and, whereas their victory over Albania was slender, Luciano Spalletti’s fingerprints had been everywhere in the Azzurri’s efficiency. The previous Napoli boss is beginning to construct this Italian facet in his picture and Thursday’s contest is sure to be a belter.

The victor, if there may be one, will certainly win Group B.

This is 90min’s preview of Spain vs Italy at Euro 2024.

Spain vs Italy H2H File (Final 5 Video games)

Present type (all competitions)

Spain had been so spectacular on Saturday that De la Fuente might identify an unchanged workforce for Thursday’s conflict in opposition to Italy. Victory would then permit the supervisor to rotate closely on Matchday 3.

Lamine Yamal and Pedri’s minutes should be well managed, particularly given the latter’s damage woes since his stellar Euro 2020 marketing campaign.

Marc Cucurella was most well-liked to Alejandro Grimaldo at left-back in opposition to Croatia. Aymeric Laporte is increase his health and will earn minutes off the bench.

Spain predicted lineup vs Croatia (4-3-3): Simon; Carvajal, Nacho, Le Normand, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Fabian; Yamal, Morata, Williams.

There’s been hypothesis within the Italian media of Spalletti making a number of adjustments to his XI to mitigate Spain’s menace in Gelsenkirchen.

Sturdy man-marker Gianluca Mancini might are available for Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori at centre-back to duel Spain captain Alvaro Morata. The pair confronted off on many events whereas Morata led Juventus’ line.

The steely Bryan Cristante might substitute Davide Frattesi or Lorenzo Pellegrini in midfield, whereas Gianluca Scamacca might drop to the bench in favour of the energetic Mateo Retegui.

Italy predicted lineup vs Spain (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Jorginho, Cristante, Barella; Chiesa, Retegui, Pellegrini.

Spain had been so spectacular in opposition to Croatia, however the indicators had been promising for Italy as properly in opposition to a tough Albania facet. Thursday’s bout has the potential to be the perfect of the group phases given the standard of each squads and respective types of the 2 managers.

Spain’s collective cohesion will probably be powerful for the Italians to decelerate, though its throughout the Italians DNA to nullify attacking majesty. Reviews recommend Spalletti will alter his workforce to counter La Roja’s guile and craft, maybe suggesting Italy will probably be blissful to cede management and assault De la Fuente’s facet in transition.

This has the makings of a chess match and a draw would arrange an exciting conclusion to Group B.

Prediction: Spain 2-2 Italy

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