Two of your favorites to win Euro 2020 locks on Friday when Belgium face Italy in the quarter-finals of the competition.
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Belgium secured their place in the last eight by following a 100% record in Group B with a 1-0 victory over reigning champions Portugal, with the permission of Thorgan Hazard’s beautiful long-range strike during the first half.
Italy also maintained a 100% record during their group stage, but needed extra time to beat Austria in the round of 16. Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina strikes saw Roberto Mancini’s men come out 2-1 winners over a lively and resilient Austria side to send the Azzurri to this huge quarterfinal.
Here is a 90 min preview of the game.
Allianz Arena hosts the tie / Alexandra Beier / Getty Images
When is kick off? Friday 2 July – 20:00 (BST)Where is the match played? Allianz Arena, MunichWhich TV channel is it on? BBC One (UK), fuboTV / ESPN (US)Who is the judge? TBC
Roberto Martinez is still waiting to hear about the condition of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, who were both forced off the pitch with injuries during their victory over Portugal. None of them are expected to be completely in shape, but if they can start, they really will.
A downtrodden Kevin De Bruyne whom he knows must be withdrawn / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Thorgan Hazard should also continue in start XI after a wonderful performance against Portugal, while record goascorer Romelu Lukaku will lead the line.
Girogio Chiellini has revealed that his injury is not serious but it is still unclear whether the Italian captain will be able to start against Belgium, while Alessandro Florenzi is another doubt for Mancini.
Federico Chiesa celebrates a wonderful goal to put Italy 1-0 in extra time / FRANK AUGSTEIN / Getty Images
The Italian boss returned his entire forward line for a draw with Austria and was able to rotate once more and took in Chiesa to start after his brilliant extension to inspire Italy to victory.
Pessina are also pushing for a starting place, after his goal put Italy 2-0 up in overtime of their 16th round, potentially replacing Nicolo Barella.
Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, T. Hazard; De Bruyne, Lukaku, E. Hazard.
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Acerbi, Bonucci, Spinnazola; Verratti, Jorginho, Pessina; Berardi, Immobile, Chiesa.
This one is very difficult to predict. Both sides come in the tie in astonishing shape; Belgium is undefeated in 12 and won ten of them while Italy has not lost since September 2018 and has won in its previous 12.
RECORD BROKEN ☑️
Roberto Mancini’s page has set a new record for #ITA ??? # ITVFootball # Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/u29RnPbyie
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 26, 2021
Belgium showed against Portugal that they are finally more than capable of seeing results and competing when matches get gritty – which is a trait that seems to have escaped the golden generation during the last major tournaments.
Italy was not considered serious as a challenger before a ball was kicked but now seems impossible to hit, and combining their defensive stability and wonderful attacking talent now makes them one of the favorites to win the whole thing. The two teams match very well.
It should be a close meeting and could be decided by a moment or two of serious magic – in which case Martinez will ask for De Bruyne and Hazard to be available.
Prediction: Belgium 1-0 Italy
