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  • Writer's pictureAdam Perry

It’s Coming Home

England face Italy in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley on Sunday night, having beaten Denmark 2-1 in the semi finals.


It ends England’s 55 year wait since their last major tournament final, a 4-2 win against West Germany to win the 1966 World Cup.


As with 1966, England have enjoyed a home advantage for much of the tournament, playing all but one of their games at Wembley and feeding off the excitement of the nation during this run.


Reflecting on the achievement of reaching the final, Gareth Southgate said: “The most pleasing thing is that we have given our fans and our nation a fantastic night and the journey carries on for another 4 days.”


“They [Italy] are a very good side, they have really shown outstanding form, they have got defensive warriors at the back who have been through everything, but it is a great game to look forward to.”


England overcame a 1-0 deficit on the night, conceding their first goal of the tournament due to a venomous Mikkel Damsgaard free kick half an hour in.


10 minutes later Harry Kane found Bukayo Saka in behind with the winger fizzing a ball across the box only for Denmark captain Simon Kjaer to turn it into his own net.


It required an extra time penalty, won by Raheem Sterling, to send England through. Kane stepped up and placing a tame penalty low to the right of the goal, but Kasper Schmeichel could only parry the ball back out to Kane who made no mistake at the second attempt.



Italy themselves had to come through a difficult semi final, being taken to penalties by Spain.


Italy went one nil up through a lightening counter attack which saw the ball break to Federico Chiesa. The winger cut inside and emphatically curled the ball into the far corner on the hour mark.


Spain equalised with 10 minutes to go as Alvaro Morata drove through the middle, playing a one two with Dani Olmo, before placing a left footed shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards.


It was a tense penalty shootout with Manuel Locatelli missing Italy’s first penalty, before Dani Olmo blazed his over the bar. The next 5 penalties were scored before Alvaro Morata’s low effort was saved. Jorginho stepped up to take the decisive penalty, sending Unai Simon the wrong way to put Italy through.



The final is at 8pm at Wembley on Sunday.



How England can win:

England’s chance of winning Euro 2020 begins with Southgate’s team selection. Whatever people say about him, Southgate has got his team selection right for each of England’s knockout games so far, a good omen for the final.


With the magnitude of what lays ahead, it would make sense for the same team that beat Denmark to continue again versus Italy, and such a team would give England their best chance of success.


Pickford has had a good tournament thus far, conceding just 1 goal in 6 games and making crucial saves along the way. He has not always looked convincing, and at times can be shaky on the ball, but there is no doubt he will start the final and so long as he continues what he has been doing in this tournament he will give England a chance.


Walker on the whole has had a somewhat underwhelming tournament, playing beneath the levels we have seen in the past. But his familiarity with the rest of the defence and his recovery pace is a positive for the team, especially in dealing with Italy's tricky wingers.


Stones has continued his Manchester City form and has been a rock at the back for England, looking assured throughout the tournament and his ability to step into midfield has helped spur the team on at times. He has gone about his business quietly, but his leadership and quality have helped see England through to this point.


Maguire stepped in for the last game of the group stage and England have not looked back. His presence in defence has helped elevate the team and his threat from set pieces could prove key to England’s chances in the final.


Shaw has been drifting through games but popping up with vital moments, and moments could easily be what decides the final. His performance against Germany in particular was vital and he has shown himself to be a top quality left back whom England can rely on.


Rice has had a steadying influence on the England midfield but at times seems to have struggled to really impose himself on games. He has a tendency to slow the play down at times but his defensive instinct, which he has shown earlier in the tournament, will be important when picking up Italy’s energetic midfielders.


Phillips’ tournament has been similar to Rice’s. It often feels that there is more to come and it is surprising that Henderson has not featured more, but Phillips and Rice’s partnership has been steady and they will be key to slowing Italy down.


Mount has arguably the biggest role to play for England in this final should he start. His Chelsea teammate Jorginho is often at the heart of Italy’s play and Mount is the perfect player to shut him down. Mount’s high pressing should be able to disrupt the Italian midfielder, and his quick feet and movement should help to bypass Jorginho during England attacks.


Saka has had a breakout tournament, going from out of the 23 man squad to starting and assisting in the semi final. Saka has brought pace and directness going forward, linking up well with Kane in the Denmark game, but has also shown his defensive instinct and versatility in the earlier games which make him a solid player on both ends. Next to Kane a player who is willing to run in behind is vital.


Sterling has proven to be England’s most impactful player at Euro 2020 with 3 goals and 2 assists, contributing to goals in 5 of England’s 6 games. His overall play at times has been quiet but there is no denying his output and England will once again be looking to Sterling to create a moment of magic at Wembley on Sunday.


Kane has found form after a slow start to the tournament, scoring 4 goals in his last 3 games, including the winner against Denmark. Kane’s unique style has resulted in disconnect with the attacking unit but it has started to click in recent games and England will be reliant on their number 9 to deliver on the biggest stage.



In dealing with Italy’s offence, the key for England will be to hassle Jorginho on the ball and to double up on Italy’s tricky wingers Insigne, Chiesa and Berardi.


Italy have suffered injuries to their first choice fullbacks, Spinazzola and Florenzi, during this tournament which limits their attacking impetuous. As a result, the majority of Italy’s build up play will run through Jorginho. He is a fairly static player who will not look to take on players, so England’s best option is to press him in order to force him into mistakes.


The same can be said for their replacement fullbacks Emerson and Di Lorenzo, as well as keeper Donnarumma, who himself had some uncomfortable moments on the ball during Italy’s semi final with Spain. If England can make life uncomfortable for Italy during their build up, they should be able to slow down their attacks.


Further up the pitch, Italy have a number of threatening wingers who have each shone this tournament in Insigne, Chiesa and Berardi. Each of them is comfortable driving at defenders, have quick feet and the ability to shoot from range.


They will each represent a tough test for the England fullbacks who will need to look to show them wide but will also require help from the midfielders and wingers to help nullify their threat.



To get at Italy’s defence, it will be key for England to be direct and to move the ball quickly. Emerson is vulnerable defensively due to his positioning, and Jorginho can be bypassed with quick passing and cutbacks.


Whilst Chiellini and Bonucci are excellent veteran defenders, they have shown this tournament that they can be exposed by counter attacks, as seen by Morata’s goal in the semi final.


England will be best served going for cutbacks and balls across the box in order to move Donnarumma out of position.. His 6 foot 5 frame allows him to save shots from range with ease, and as a result the 3 goals Italy have conceded so far have all been from inside 12 yards.


It is vital that England move the ball quickly with purpose in order to exploit gaps left by Italy. England’s deep players will need to progress the ball to Kane quickly and the two wide men will need to run in behind as Saka did for England’s equaliser against Denmark.



Despite potential vulnerabilities, Italy have been excellent on the whole this tournament, looking the most assured team throughout. They had a 20 minutes spell against Belgium in particular which was enough to blow any team off the pitch so it is key England do not allow them to get into a rhythm.


It will be an incredibly tough test, and England have done well just to get here, but Southgate's side are 90 minutes away from bringing football home - and they have a genuine chance of doing so.


Prediction: England 1 - 0 Italy


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