[Euro 2020] Match Preview: Belgium vs Italy - The clash decides the champion?

Two heavyweight candidates Belgium and Italy will go head-to-head tonight. Both teams have played impressively and want to win this match. This today clash will take place in Allianz Arena (Munich) at 21:00 (in CEST timezone)

Recent performances

Belgium is currently ranked the world’s number one, and they represent an impressive playing style in Euro 2020. Moreover, their Golden Generation is in their best form, and they are the likeliest to win the title. In the last match, they defeated Portugal 1-0 with a superb long shot from Thorgan Hazard.

With the 2-1 victory against Austria, the Azurri set the national team’s new record of 31 games unbeaten consecutively. However, they still have a few issues in the last match, and they will need to resolve them in this match.

Head-to-Head

Italy takes advantage of the head-to-head record with 14 wins out of a total of 23 matches, Belgium only takes five victories and four clashes ended up in draw results. The latest match between the two teams is from Euro 2016’s group stage, where Italy beat Belgium 2-0 with goals from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pellè.

Injuries & Suspensions

Timothy Castagne and Simon Mignolet are injured and have been ruled out of Euro 2020. Moreover, their biggest stars Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are unlikely to start in this game after being forced to come off with injuries against Portugal.

Roberto Mancini will have a fit squad to choose from; however, they still have some injury concerns in the back-line. Giorgio Chiellini trained separated from the squad last week due to a thigh injury, while Alessandro Florenzi is carrying a knock.

Possible line-ups

Italy

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma

Defenders: Giovanni Di Lorenzo – Leonardo Bonucci – Giorgio Chiellini – Leonardo Spinazzola

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella – Jorginho – Marco Verratti

Forwards: Federico Chiesa – Ciro Immobile – Lorenzo Insigne

Belgium

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld – Jan Vertonghen – Thomas Vermaelen

Midfielders: Thorgan Hazard – Axel Witsel – Youri Tielemans – Thomas Meunier

Forwards: Dries Mertens – Romelu Lukaku – Yannick Carrasco

Prediction

Belgium will have a hard game as they will be without the services of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne. Meanwhile, Azurri showed that they have a united and resilient squad. Therefore, Italy will have a slight upper hand in this clash.