It’s almost over us. On Sunday night, the eyes of the whole world will be on Wembley, as two of the best teams in Europe go toe to toe under the famous arch.
The winners of this duel will claim the biggest prize available on the continent: the European Championship trophy. The two countries that will fight in the English capital are none other than England and Italy, both hoping to either take football home or take it back to Rome.
This finale is one of the most anticipated glasses in recent history, after we all had to wait another year for the exhibition to continue after the coronavirus outbreak. Now we are on tenterhooks to see which way the pendulum swings and who comes out on top.
While many will point to the Three Lions’ home advantage as a key factor behind a potentially unforgettable night for the hosts, there are plenty of battles on the field that will determine which nation takes home the trophy.
So where will the Euro 2020 final be won and lost?
Brothers in arms / Andy Rain – Pool / Getty Images
The first major battle is between Harry Kane and part-time nightclubs, full-time students, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini full-time. The Juventus duo have faced the very best strikers in modern history in their time, and they will see Kane as just another forward who needs to be tamed.
Kane seems to float away from the pair and pull them out of position, creating room for their wide players to attack, so the duo must be extremely disciplined and usually ruthless.
The England captain is the talisman of his side, and if he manages the pair, it may well turn the game to the advantage of the three lions.
Teammates at Club Level / Visionhaus / Getty Images
No player knows each other better than club mates, so Gareth Southgate and Roberto Mancini will strive to undo the threat from Chelsea colleagues Jorginho and Mason Mount respectively.
The blues duo will have the task of stopping each other’s progress, with Mount wanting to force the Italian into possession, while Jorginho will have to do his best to read the English movement and keep him quiet.
Both will like their chances of coming out on this special duel, but Jorginho’s impressive form suggests he could be one step ahead of Mount in the final.
Star man / Christof Stache – Pool / Getty Images
Lorenzo Insigne started Euro 2020 like wildfire, scored against Turkey, played against Switzerland and beat the winner in the 2-1 victory over Belgium.
He has faded since Leonardo Spinazzola’s serious injury left the Napoli star without his wide fool, and he now has to try a little harder to create that space for himself.
It comes as music to Kyle Walker’s ears, who return himself to dominate the Insigne for tempo, height and strength. Don ‘t let him cut his right foot, he’s fine, Kyle.
England players in the tournament / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
Raheem Sterling has been electric for England this tournament, and his devastating performance against Denmark shows that he is not finished yet. He will also become champion to be released against Giovanni Di Lorenzo, after seeing the Napoli man fail to contain the Belgian winger Jeremy Doku.
Doku used their unpredictability, direct running and blowing speed to scare the life out of Di Lorenzo, and the hill was visibly oriented as the game progressed.
Sterling knows he can terrorize even the best defenders of his day, so he will see the match as one he can bend to his own will. For Di Lorenzo, it is a case of hoping and asking the Manchester City star to suffer from a day off.
Maguire’s movement will be tested / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Now, Ciro Immobile has not had a successful Euro 2020 tournament, and it should set alarm bells ringing for every England supporter. The streaky Italian freight forwarding has just not started this summer, but that could all change in an instant.
He still works incredibly hard from the ball and loves to run behind defenders to stretch the back line. Italy can see Harry Maguire’s lack of agility at the turn as a possible weak point and will ask Immobile to constantly force the Manchester United man to look over his shoulder and get ready to spin.
Maguire has traded comfortably with better strikers at Euro 2020, so he should be confident in his ability to handle Immobile. But pay attention to the striker in the form of a European final …
