Published on : 11/07/2021 – 10:17
In a bustling Wembley stadium, the competition’s two most attractive teams, Italy and England, face off for the first time in the final of a major tournament on Sunday. Which team is best equipped to succeed Portugal? Response elements.
It is a dream final but that very few observers had predicted before the start of the Euro. On the one hand, Italy, disappointing for several years and traumatized by its absence at the last World Cup. On the other, England, which has been chasing a final in a major tournament for 55 years. Suffice to say that the pressure will be strong on the shoulders of the Three Lions at the start of this already historic match, Sunday, July 11, at 9 p.m., in the Wembley lair.
Without being flamboyant, England marked the spirits during this Euro by its defensive strength by conceding a single goal in the entire competition on a stratospheric free kick from Damsgaard. As for Italy, it delighted with its fluid and attractive game, a mixture of tactical discipline and forward projection.
As such, this final is dedicated to masterful reconstruction work carried out by both coaches. Starting from a field of ruins in 2017, Roberto Mancini was able to give back to the Squadra Azzura a game worthy of its rank by associating with the famous central hinge Chiellini / Bonnucci, 70 years both, the fervor of youth, to the image of his formidable goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, only 22 years old.
>> Euro-2021: Chiellini / Bonucci, the must-see veterans of Italy
Long overwhelmed with reproaches and even insults, Gareth Southgate has also managed to straighten out a dying formation. Now, English fans are raving about the former Aston Villa player, even going so far as to sing to his glory “You’re the one” inspired by a hit by the pop music group, Atomic Kitten. .
Ward off bad luck
In a molten Wembley, England will try to abandon its status as an eternal challenger by playing its first final since the 1966 World Cup. The North West London Stadium has been waiting for such a party for a long time. It was already in this mythical enclosure that the selection of the Three Lions had raised their first and last trophy, a little over half a century ago.
To ward off bad luck, the English will be able to rely on an offensive armada which has continued to gain in strength over the matches: an untenable Raheem Sterling and a Harry Kane both scorer but also capable of winning to deliver bright passes as in the first goal of the semi-final. To these offensive assets are added an iron defense consisting of the swift Kyle Walker or the rough Harry Maguire.
>> Euro-2021: Sterling, leader of England, at Wembley as at home
England will also be buoyed once again by popular support with 65,000 fans expected at Wembley. The Tifosis will have to give voice to be heard since less than 10,000 tickets will be reserved for them, mainly Italians residing in Great Britain. Only a thousand supporters from Italy have been allowed to go to the stadium, provided they provide a negative PCR test, take dedicated flights and respect a period of isolation on return.
Italian serenity
But no question for the Nazionale to argue on suspicion of favoritism of the English hosts fueled in particular by the generous penalty awarded by the Dutch referee, Danny Makkelie, during extra time against Denmark. “You just think about playing soccer, having fun and bringing enthusiasm. The rest is chatter. What will happen during the match will be the best show for European football and world, from England, Italy and the referee class “, promised the defender of Juventus of Turin, Leonardo Bonucci.
Combative, playful, disciplined, Italy has serious arguments to make to play the spoilsport and regain the top of Europe. Starting with his magical trio: Jorginho-Verratti-Barella. A technical midfielder, fast, uncompromising in his pressing and able to quickly project himself forward to find Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne. The English will also have to be wary of the man in shape of the moment on the transalpine side: Federico Chiesa, twice elected man of the match during the competition.
Italy knows how to hold the ball but it also recalled against Spain that it knew how to defend, as in the greatest hours of its history. This “Italian-style” realism could prove to be capital in this indecisive final which will be largely played on physical freshness.
On the experience side, the balance is clearly in favor of the Azzuri. It will be Sunday the fourth Euro final for Italy, even if it has won the competition only once in 1968. Finally, the Italian team has never lost against England in the final phase of ‘a major tournament.
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