Italy vs Spain: Euro 2020 semifinal preview

The semi-finals of Euro 2020 start tonight, and Spain take on Italy at Wembley Stadium to determine the first entrant in the finals of the competition. Both teams were not given much of a chance to make it into the latter stages of the tournament, but they have defied the odds to carve out a path for themselves so far. 

Italy in particular have been mighty impressive throughout the tournament, with no goals conceded in the group stage. They dispatched Belgium in the quarter-finals to progress, and can now go even further ahead with a victory over Spain. Considering their form, they will be heading into the game as the favourites, but not by a big margin.

Despite not boasting a squad as mighty as they once possessed, Spain have put in the tough fights and have come out on top to be one of the last four teams in the competition. Pedri, in particular, has been one of the brightest talents for Luis Enrique this tournament and the magnitude of his involvement is a big revelation no matter how the match goes. 

Sergio Busquets and Koke have formed a great partnership with the Barcelona youngster, and pitch a great midfield battle between the two teams. Italy boast of Marco Verratti, Jorginho, Nicolo Barella and Manuel Locatelli. While only three of them will start, any permutation deployed by Mancini will be a thrilling one to behold against the Spaniards. 

However, Italy will be missing one of their crucial players in Leonardo Spinazzola who sustained an injury against Belgium and had to be stretchered off. 

Predicted XI Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Chiellini, Bonucci, Emerson, Jorginho, Verratti, Barella, Immobile, Chiesa, Insigne

Predicted XI Spain: Simon, Azpilicueta, Laporte, Pau Torres, Alba, Pedri, Koke, Sergio, Morata, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres