July 7, 20213 yr Italy. I've got Manchester City Champions League final vibes about England. Make it to a European final for the first time and then lose. Whatever happens though this England team will go down in history and this tournament will be remembered for decades to come.
July 7, 20213 yr I think England will win. The game will be super cagey I suspect, could easily see this being an extra time and penalties affair.
July 8, 20213 yr I think this will be so tight. Trying to be as unbiased as possible :kink: Italy are a class team but for the first time they looked defensively vulnerable against Spain. I think it will go to extra time, with Italy winning it in either extra time or penalties.
July 8, 20213 yr They were also shaky against Austria, could have gone behind if Arnautovic wasn't offside by a cat's whisker. Them losing Spinazzola was a big blow too, arguably the best player of the tournament up till then.
July 8, 20213 yr One thing that could tip the balance in England's favour is how much home support there will be at Wembley, if the fans create a hostile atmosphere for the Italian players that could make a difference on the day. I actually think if the match goes to penalties England will win because the pressure on Italy will be too much to handle. England will probably never have a better chance to win a tournament.
July 8, 20213 yr I agree though think the Italians will be well represented if still hugely out numbered.
July 8, 20213 yr There will be loads of Italian supporters there, probably 10-15k. Home advantage definitely helped England last night, although for a home final it can go either way. I am expecting it to be super cagey and if things are not going England's way then the crowd can get tetchy and then it's really difficult to not to play the ocassion rather than the game. Italy will go full shithousery mode if they are 1-0 up with 15 minutes to go!
July 8, 20213 yr My World Rank Pre-Tournament: #3 Projected World Rank Now: #3 (Not enough to surpass Belgium who are projected to drop from #1 to #2 with this tournament, because Brazil are on a Copa America run and the new projected #1) FIFA: Ranked #4 before the tournament and as well as right now ELO: Ranked #7 before the tournament and #5 right now EURO Titles: 0 (1 finals appearance) World Cup Titles: 1 (1 finals appearance) Goals Scored in EURO 2020: Harry Kane (4), Raheem Sterling (3), Jordan Henderson (1), Harry Maguire (1) Latest Starting XI: 4-2-3-1 Kane Sterling • Mount • Saka Rice • Phillips Shaw • Maguire • Stones • Walker Pickford Key Reserves Based on This Lineup: Trippier (DF), Grealish (MF), Foden (MF), Henderson (MF), Rashford (FW), Sancho (FW) Average Age for Core Group: 25.2 My World Rank Pre-Tournament: #9 Projected World Rank Now: #5 (The highest I've ever had them since I started ranking world football in 2012) FIFA: Ranked #7 before the tournament and #6 right now ELO: Ranked #6 before the tournament and #3 right now EURO Titles: 1 (4 finals appearances) World Cup Titles: 4 (6 finals appearances) Goals Scored in EURO 2020: Federico Chiesa (2), Ciro Immobile (2), Lorenzo Insigne (2), Manuel Locatelli (2), Matteo Pessina (2), Nicolò Barella (1) Latest Starting XI: 4-3-3 Insigne • Immobile • Chiesa Verratti • Jorginho • Barella Emerson • Chiellini • Bonucci • Di Lorenzo Donnarumma Key Reserves Based on This Lineup: Toloi (DF), Locatelli (MF), Pessina (MF), Belotti (FW), Berardi (FW) Average Age for Core Group: 27.5 (younger attackers, older defence) Matchup History 2014 World Cup Group Stage | 2-1 Italy EURO 2012 Quarterfinal | 0-0, 4-2 Italy on penalties 1998 World Cup Qualifier | 0-0 1998 World Cup Qualifier | 1-0 Italy 1990 World Cup Third Place | 2-1 Italy EURO 1980 Group Stage | 1-0 Italy 1978 World Cup Qualifier | 2-0 England 1978 World Cup Qualifier | 2-0 Italy
July 8, 20213 yr Italy seems like the obvious pick even with the home advantage, as they have consistently been the strongest in the tournament, undefeated for 33 games and though they have been patchy in places, never really looked like losing. Ofc. we have also been very consistent and could well find a way here so I wouldn't be surprised if England did edge it. I doubt we'll get another chance like this in years!
July 8, 20213 yr For once I've actually voted England! Italy have been very good but having watched them play Spain I can see them potentially struggling. Although having said that we could just as easily get thrashed 5-0.
July 9, 20213 yr well apparently a self proclaimed time traveller who correctly predicted the England v Italy final and the England v Ukraine score has now gone and said Italy are to win 2-1. Not looking good for us then if he’s on to something.
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