For the 11th time in 16 years – friendlies excluded – it’s again Italy-Spain. And it is already decisive for qualification, because with a draw between Croatia and Albania the eventual winner tonight will advance to the round of 16, from first in the group. A golden opportunity to close the discussion with a round to spare, as well as to see what the team can do against an equal team: therefore no calculations or tactical adjustments on the opponent, Spalletti goes to play it with the typical formation. So 4-2-3-1: Donnarumma in the door, Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni and Dimarco behind, Barella and Jorginho in the middle of, Chiesa, Frattesi and Pellegrini in support of Scamacca. However, the hypothesis is not yet completely over Cristanteto give more physicality to the midfield.
On the Spanish front, de la Fuente recovers Rodri and Morata – injured in the 3-0 win over Croatia – and also Laporte, absent on his debut. Here too, however, there should be no changes in the 11th: Carvajal, Nacho, Le Normand and Cucurella in front of Simon, then Pedri, Rodri and Fabian Ruiz in midfield and the Yamal-Morata-Williams trident.
And then off with a challenge that is repeated for the 6th time in the last 5 European Championships, with in between also a meeting in the Confederations Cup, two in the world cup qualifiers and two Nations semi-finals. Almost only Iberian successes, except for two draws and the Italian victories in the last two European Championships: if it will be a hat trick, we will know tonight.
In the video the words of the Italian coach, Luciano Spalletti
