England will host Italy in a rematch of their European final two years ago. Their three-point lead over the Azzurri is far from insurmountable. Gareth Southgate’s team may be just 90 minutes away from securing a trip to Germany.
Preview (England vs. Italy)
As a number of peripheral players entered the field to test their mettle against Australia on Friday night, England head coach Southgate promised to keep some of his more seasoned internationals in bubble wrap with one eye on the upcoming visit of the European champions. Wembley’s energy level was clearly low as the anemic Three Lions battled to get into the Socceroos’ defense while also having to deal with some scares of their own. However, 12 minutes into the second half, Ollie Watkins stuck out a leg to seal the victory at the back stick.
Debate raged over Southgate’s personnel and tactical decisions against Graham Arnold’s team. It is the case with any underwhelming England performance, but a victory is a victory for the Three Lions. They don their competitive caps with the chance to clinch Euro 2024 qualification with two games remaining. Even though Ukraine, who have played one more game, broke England’s 100% record on matchday five of Group C. The hosts still have 13 points to their name and only need to defeat Italy on Tuesday. Ukraine has played one more game and is unable to defeat local minnows Malta, a draw would also be acceptable.
Even if Southgate’s team is unable to complete the task in midweek, they will have two more chances to succeed when they face North Macedonia and Malta next month. The Three Lions are currently riding a fantastic 12-game winning streak in home Euros qualifiers. They have kept clean sheets in 10 of those games. Italy, who also have a game in hand on all the teams below them as a result of their unsuccessful efforts in the Nations League Finals last year, is looking to end that incredible record, and they refused to let an alarming illegal betting scandal derail their chances of a straightforward victory over the Maltese on Saturday.
Team News
With the exception of hamstring injury Bukayo Saka, who departed St. George’s Park shortly after arriving, England manager Southgate has a full roster to deal with and will undoubtedly make numerous changes from Friday’s underwhelming victory. The Al-Ettifaq player will be one of several players to move down to the bench. Declan Rice is to re-enter the game. A healthy John Stones was able to play off the bench against the Socceroos despite Harry Maguire’s extended absence. Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Jordan Pickford, and Kyle Walker will also be back in the starting lineup.
Federico Chiesa, a clubmate of Fagioli’s, joined Ivan Provedel and Mattia Zaccagni on the list of injuries. Sassuolo veteran Berardi should get another chance to show off his right-wing skills after his performance for Malta. Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo should return at right-back. Matteo Darmian is out of the starting lineup. Bonaventura’s record-breaking goal may not be enough to stop fellow goal-scorer Frattesi. Although England’s victory over the Socceroos was far from convincing, with so many rested players returning to the Wembley field, another spirited victory will be enough to guarantee England’s qualifying for next year’s championship tournament with two games remaining.
England 1 – 0 Italy
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