Gradually and progressively, the UEFA Euro 2020 is winding down. After 48 matches and 24 teams, only four are remaining to fight for the holy grail. The semi-finals begin this Tuesday night with plenty of excitement and drama in store.
Spain needed extra time and penalties against Switzerland to qualify for this stage. Italy was simply too good against the number one team in the world.
England continues to show intent, making progress, game after game. The Three Lions outclassed Ukraine 4-0 at the quarterfinals.
Denmark needed a solid first half to see out the Czech Republic 2-1 in the previous stage.
The Wembley stadium will play host to these European giants- Italy, Spain, England and Denmark as they battle for two final spots.
Italy vs Spain
This is a re-match of the Euro 2016 second round, where the Italians won comfortably.
Italy has continued to show why it is one of the favourites for the title. The Azzurri are on a 32-match unbeaten run. So far, Roberto Mancini’s men have only conceded two goals at the Euro 2020.
Mancini is set to linger with his 4-3-3 formation that has brought success in previous matches. They will also press the Spaniards high in their box as they have done consistently. The partnership of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini is also set to continue.
The Italian manager will also count on the clinicality of his forwards, Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne.
The former world champions have been dealt a huge blow with the absence of full-back, Leonardo Spinazzola. The 28-year-old was stretchered off against Belgium. He has now undergone surgery and will now be sidelined for the next six months. Italy will miss his surging runs down the flanks.
Spain is yet to convince at this competition. They have had to stretch both knockout matches to extra time. The defence continues to remain vulnerable to strong attacks.
La Roja still continues to find scoring difficult. They continue to miss gilt-edged chances. Alvaro Morata will continue as the starting forward and Luis Enrique will hope that he will find his scoring touch against Italy.
The midfield is their major strength. The combination of Koke, Sergio Busquets and Pedri will once again prove key as they hope to control possession and dictate the play.
Both teams will give it a good go with the tie possibly lasting more than 90 minutes.
Prediction: Over 1.5 goals
England vs Denmark
England has now qualified for back-to-back semi-finals at major tournaments. The Three Lions have improved per game at the Euro 2020.
After scoring two goals in three group stage matches, they have doubled the tally in two knockout matches.
The defence remains the foundation of the team’s play with Gareth Southgate’s men yet to concede in this competition. If they keep one more, they will be guaranteed a place in the final.
Harry Kane has chosen the right time to pick form after scoring three goals in the last two games. Southgate will be counting on his target man once again alongside Raheem Sterling who has been one of the team’s biggest inspirations.
Denmark has been the surprise team of the Euro. They have moved on past matchday 1’s incident involving Christian Eriksen. Their second-round rout of Wales had shown much they genuinely want to win the title. Underrating them will England’s biggest undoing.
Kasper Dolberg has put himself in the reckoning since the knockouts, scoring three goals. He would prove to be a handful for this impregnable England defence.
England will just do enough to qualify at the end of proceedings.
Prediction: England to qualify
