We’ll be treated to an outstanding Euro 2020 semifinal between Italy and Spain early on Wednesday morning AEST, and it is fair to say that this match wouldn’t have looked out of place as the tournament decider.
The Italians have been nothing short of outstanding at Euro 2020, and they reach this stage of the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record.
Roberto Mancini’s long range plan has already paid dividends, but the Premier League-winning manager won’t be satisfied with anything short of winning the tournament, and he will field another outstanding side against Spain; his biggest test so far.
Spain’s campaign prospects were polarising prior to Euro 2020 commencing, but they have continued to improve with each match and as the pressure has piled on, and they have subsequently silenced many of their doubters.
I think that the bookies have just about got this one correct, and I think that Italy will win in a low scorer.
Is it ‘coming home’?
England’s Euro 2020 campaign has been nothing short of outstanding, and they incredibly arrive at the second-to-last stage of the tournament yet to concede a goal.
They have played as one cohesive unit, they are well drilled and importantly, they appear to believe their own hype like the Gerrard/Lampard/Terry/Rooney era did.
They enter this match (at Wembley) as clear odds-on favourites, but they cannot afford to fall out of their headspace and allow a side like Denmark any chances, because they’ll be punished.
The Danish campaign began in tragic circumstances, but after that Matchday 1 contest with Finland, they have been nothing short of outstanding.
Having thrashed Wales in the Round of 16, they continued their impressive run with a tight 2-1 win over a very credible Czech Republic outfit, and there is certainly a case to be made for them pulling off the upset on Thursday morning.
I simply cannot look past how tight the English have been and I am going to stick with them.