Italy Tipped As Favorites But Overlook England At Your Peril

The much anticipated European Championship final is here as Italy take on England in the final at Wembley on Sunday.

Despite England having home advantage, to many, Italy go into the tie as favourites. 

Italy are unbeaten since the start of their European Championship campaign. They are currently on a run of 33 games unbeaten much of which is down to being defensively solid.

The Azzurri defense consists of two very experienced centre-backs, Juventus duo Chiellini and Bonucci. They also have a highly rated midfield built around Jorginho, Verratti and Barella. They are not lacking upfront with Immobile being fed from either side by Insigne and Chiesa who are very good on the flanks.

However, the England national team have a crop of young talents who could potentially cause an upset. Defensively, England’s record have been impressive in this campaign keeping five clean sheets across six games and only conceding once in the 2020 Euros so far.

The England defenders are in very good form and a special mention to Luke Shaw who has been in top form both defensively and in attack.

After shaking off injury to join the squad midway into the tournament, Harry Maguire has also been solid in partnership with John Stones in defence.

The Three Lions’ midfield is where the real concern is for England as Italy seems to have the upper hand in that aspect. Declan Rice and Kalvin Philips have been quite good but can they outplay a midfield of Jorginho and Verratti?

The midfield pair of Jorginho and Verratti are very experienced in Europe. Verratti can find spaces in very tight areas which is why the coach had faith in him despite his recent injury struggles.

He was immediately favoured upon his return from injury and Manuel Locatelli was benched despite being in good form. Mancini’s decision was justified as Verratti was decisive in the Belgium and Spain games.

Jorginho is another important piece in the jigsaw. He completes a lot of accurate passes and works in the shadows pulling strings to allow the creativity of other players like Verratti and Insigne to flourish.

What they bring, coupled with the x factor midfielders like Locatelli and Barella put forward, is what makes the Azzurri midfield almost unplayable.

In the attacking aspect, England seem to have the upper hand with young wingers like Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho running at defenses and supplying the forwards.

The ever present goal threat Raheem Sterling poses, the creativity from the likes of Jack Grealish, Mason Mount and Jude Bellingham will be a major concern for Italy.

Harry Kane who has his sight set on the tournament golden boot is rated by many as being among the top three strikers in the world.

Currently on four goals despite a slow start to the campaign, Kane is a goal shy of equalling Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick who are the competition’s highest goal scorers with five goals each. Can he do the unthinkable?

In all, I will say don’t take your eyes off this England team, don’t count them out yet. This is England’s first final in over five decades and they will surely want to play their hearts out.

The game indeed will be interesting and I must add that either of the two countries will be deserving and worthy champions irrespective of the outcome. 

Who are you backing to win? Is it coming home or is it going to Rome? Let us know in the comments.

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