When the England vs Italy national football teams meet again in their historic rivalry, fans will be drawn to watch whether a competitive World Cup qualifier, Nation League or friendly matchtime games between these two football giants are filled with excitement. Boasting star studded line ups, the game guarantees tactical excellence and high quality football with both sides playing for victories.
Here, we will look at the team news regarding the upcoming fixture of England vs Italy lineups, discuss both team’s performance and respective form, and predict how this crucial bout may pan out.
LINEUP: The ThreeLions team for tonight’s game is
England Expected XI:
England manager Gareth Southgate has stuck with a base group of players, yet he prides himself on being tactical adaptable from match to game. This is a preview of the England XI set to face Italy:
Goalkeeper:
Jordan Pickford Southgate has rarely faltered in his faith in the Everton man and he’s still keeping England’s sticks ahead of Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope.
Defenders:
Kyle Walker (RB): A player who can play at speed and with good versatility, wasting them as a supplementary bomb in England’s defence.
John Stones (CB): A regular at centre back, providing assurance and defensive stability.
Harry Maguire (CB): A mainstay in the England team under Southgate, despite a mixed season for his club.
Ben Chilwell (LB): Likely to get the nod over any other full back due to his continued attacking contribution from deep and a sound sense of defending.
Midfielders:
Declan Rice (CDM): West Ham star serves as a protective wall at the base of England’s midfield.
Jude Bellingham (CM): The Borussia Dortmund star offers electric energy in the midfield and some innovative play making duties.
Jordan Henderson (CM): Leadership and midfield control, linking play between the back four and front three.
Forwards:
Bukayo Saka (RW): Another of Arsenal’s bright young things who, after the Gunners’ disastrous start to the season is quickly becoming England’s new wiz kid.
Harry Kane (ST): England’s captain and best goal scorer, he will spearhead the attack, though is likely to be a part of many goals.
Raheem Sterling (LW): He is famed for his pace and direct running which stretches opposition defences, so will probably take a place in England’s forward three.
Tactical Setup: England’s Formation of Choice
Southgate often favours a 4:3:3 shape which should mean England are usually able to be compact and also carry pace on the flanks. He has reverted to a 3:4:1 or 3:5:2 formation in some games, to form a back up.
Italy will play with five at the back to counteract those pacy England forwards, while they also possess a midfield that is arguably better in possession than what has been taking shape for Southgate this summer. Where Harry Kane’s positions on the field will be essential in unpicking Italy’s backline.
Italy Starting XI: Italy Predicted Starting Line up
It is a recipe that was run by the book in two World Cups, and Roberto Mancini Europe’s cause recovery coach has taken just one course of action to request his Italy dinners to play. What Italy has going for it is the cohesive defence and technically adept midfield. Take a look at how Italy could line up against England.
Goalkeeper:
Gianluigi Donnarumma is Still Italy’s first choice and playing exceptionally well both for his country as well as at his new club Paris Saint Germain.
Defenders:
Giovanni Di Lorenzo (RB): Pace down the right would be provided by this workaholic full back who is designed to launch attacks.
Leonardo Bonucci (CB): The Italian captain and their most experienced player, will lead the defence with his defensive qualities.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB): Partnering Bonucci would be the young Inter Milan centre back, providing a strong defensive presence.
Leonardo Spinazzola (LB): Italy proved in the round of 16 that wide play could be key and for them, this means getting their marauding left back on track.
Midfielders:
Jorginho (CDM): Jorgonho controls the tempo of Italy with his passing ability and vision.
Marco Verratti (CM): The Italian magician possesses exceptional technique and vision, making him the ideal option for connecting defence to attack.
Nicolo Barella (CM): A high energy pressing midfielder, adds a bit of box to box running to the Italian midfield.
Forwards:
Federico Chiesa (RW): Federico Chicarito’s speed and Driving ability will threaten England’s defenders throughout the game.
Ciro Immobile (ST): Cerci to the Lazio striker, who is Italy’s no.1 striker and he must have his target firstly goal of this EURO 2016 production.
Lorenzo Insigne (LW): The left sided maestro is key to Italy’s attacking play, providing flair and creativity down his side.
Tactical Setup: Italy’s Preferred Formation
Italy usually arranges in a 4:3:3 England style. It is a formation that even Mancini considers when playing against top teams, the 3:5:2. They can make the game theirs and dominate possession with a midfield trio of Jorginho, Verratti and Barella.
Italy will look to hit England with quick passing and the wide play of Chiesa and Insigne, Immobile being their main target.
Key Players to Watch
Harry Kane (England)
Kane is a talisman for the Three Lions with his record of scoring key goals and leadership on the pitch making him automatically England’s best player. He will seek to take advantage of the Italy defender notably on.
Federico Chiesa (Italien) 66.
Chiesa is lightning quick and has great dribbling skills that can make life hell for the England backline. He has been crucial to Italy’s run in Euro 2020 and will be the key player if they are to unlock England at the back.
Recent Form Comparison
England’s Form
England: A patchy run in recent competitions While they breezed through their World Cup qualifying pool, the UEFA Nations League has raised some eyebrows. And Gareth Southgate will hope his team find another gear to treat those watching around the globe, particularly after some tepid attacking efforts.
Italy’s Form
Under Mancini, Italy has undergone something of a rebirth winning Euro 2020, though earlier this month it failed to qualify for the World Cup. Nevertheless, they have been in very good form elsewhere and their tactical solidity persists.
Head to Head Records
In tournaments, Italy has largely had the better of things with one particularly notable victory over England in a final (Euro 2020) which Italy won on penalties. Regardless, England will be itching to square the ledger and find some form in their next clash. The two sides have met 28 times, with Italy holding a slight advantage of 12 wins to England’s eight and another eight games which have ended in draws.
Match Prediction
This is shaping up to be a close fought encounter, and both outfits have attacking firepower in their ranks while also tactical nous. From an undoubtedly Three Lions perspective, England will likely enjoy the lion’s share of possession as they attempt to press high but a break against and rigid Italian defending might stymie them. It should be a tight win or perhaps even a draw with either side able to outdo the other on their day.
Tactical Analysis England vs Italy
England’s Approach
England will probably high press and keep the ball. Southgate will also fancy taking on Italy in the wide areas which is good news for Saka and Sterling coming off their best tournament of their careers. With Maguire and Kane looking like the two most potent goalkeeping options.
Italy’s Approach
Italy will look to dominate the midfield and get into England, frustrating any possession play. They are likely to play on the break, and they will look to counter attack quickly rather than keeping possession for long periods: Chiesa’s speed combined with Insigne up front.
Fans Reaction & Expectations
Fans eagerly await this matchup of England vs Italy all time great teams. With the scars of that Euro 2020 defeat still likely to be fresh for many England supporters, Italy fans will surely go into this game believing their team can once again come through when the heat is on. It will be a fixture expected to see nothing but great football from both sides of the Manchester divide.
Conclusion
The matchup of England vs Italy is always interesting with both teams bringing tactical nous and footballing skill to the white rectangle. Now, with the final line ups becoming clearer by the minute it’s safe to say that this game is destined not to be one sided in terms of teams starting or certain faces emerging on the field from the bench as Kane and Chiesa can turn it alone. Whether Sarri or Conte wins it is far less important this game has a 1-0 or draw written all over it, and that suits the football fan just fine.
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