We are getting ready for a really exciting clash from the 1/4-finals of Euro 2020. At the beautiful Allianz Arena in Munich Belgium will face Italy in one of the best fixture from this phase of the tournament. Here’s the moment to stay with us and see what we can tell you about this match.
Belgium remain one of the most significant contenders for the Euro 2020 trophy. The Red Devils are perfect since the beginning of the tournament – four wins from four matches played. They faced the reigning champions Portugal in the 1/8-finals, but did a good enough job to clinch a 1-0 win over Selecao. The hero of the game was Eden Hazard’s little brother – Thorgan, who put the ball in the net with a terrific shot from distance.
With so many powerful teams already out of the competition, Belgium’s path to the trophy is getting more and more clear. But here they must be at their best because Italy are one of the teams which perform really good so far in the competition.
Belgium’s manager Roberto Martinez took a brave decision and put Eden Hazard in the starting eleven against Portugal. He did despite the fact that Hazard is clearly not in his best condition in the last two years. He started close to the striker Romelu Lukaku alongside the midfield maestro of the Belgian team Kevin De Bruyne. In the second half Martinez took a look at his bench and picked Dries Mertens and Yannick Carrasco to finish the game.
There were some rumours in the press that Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne could miss the next game because of injuries. It’s not particularly true, though – both of them are fine and fit to face Italy on Friday. De Bruyne was substituted after just 48 minutes against Portugal, but his condition is good and it allows him to play against the Azzurri.
Another key decision Roberto Martinez took against Portugal was to bring back the veteran Axel Witsel in the line-up. The Borussia Dortmund man was benched in the first two matches in the group, but now Martinez felt that his experience is vital for the Red Devils. It was Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans who partnered him in midfield. Once again Thorgan Hazard and Thomas Meunier started on the two flanks. They were crucial for the win against Selecao as Meunier passed the ball to Hazard for the winning goal.
Romelu Lukaku didn’t score against Selecao, but he remains one of the most dangerous players at the European Championship. He has a monstrous physique which allows him to beat defenders for a better position. In the last two season Lukaku has been brilliant for Inter Milan in the Serie A. We can say that right now he’s in the best shape of his life. He knows these Italian defenders he’s about to face and this could give him some better confidence when he face them in Munich.
Italy were flawless in the group stage, just like Belgium – three wins from three matches played. But the Azzurri had surprisingly problematic game against Austria in the 1/8-finals. Most of us expected an easy Italian win against Das Team, but everything was decided in the extra-time after a 0-0 draw. Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina scored the decisive two goals in the extra-time. Austria scored one back, but it was not enough for them to reach the penalties at least.
The manager Roberto Mancini can’t be happy with the way his team performed against Austria. Italy had to decide the game in the regular 90 minutes, and the players are aware with this. Taking this into account, it won’t be entirely impossible to see Mancini making some changes in the starting eleven. Just to refresh things a little bit.
Federico Chiesa is one of the players who can get a place in the line-up against Belgium. Chiesa scored the decisive first goal against Austria when he controlled the ball in the penalty area and made a powerful strike with his left foot. If Chiesa gets a place in the starting eleven, most likely he is going to replace Domenico Berardi. Right now it doesn’t look likely to see Ciro Immobile or Lorenzo Insigne sitting on the bench.
After his goal against Austria, Matteo Pessina is another contender for the starting eleven. Atalanta’s midfielder made a very good impact to the game against Das Team which makes him a solid for a place in the line-up. Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli is another ace in Roberto Mancini’s sleeve for the next game. Marco Verratti and Jorginho look untouchable in the Italian team, but Nicolo Barella must be fighting for his place in the line-up. He would be put on the bench if Mancini decides to use Pessina or Locatelli against the Red Devils.
Italy could be seriously boosted by the return of their talismanic captain Giorgio Chiellini. He missed the team’s last two matches because of injury, but lately he’s training again with the squad. Now Mancini must take the decision if Chiellini is fit enough to start against Belgium. That’s an important decision to make because Belgium has an impressive firepower in attack. This means that Italy’s defenders must be at the top of their game in this game. Chiellini is a brilliant defender, but it might be a wrong decision to put him on the pitch if he’s not one hundred percent ready to perform.
That’s the online soccer predictions that win for the Euro 2020 exciting 1/4-final between Belgium and Italy. Two of the biggest contenders for the trophy are going head to head in Munich. Some people already say that the winner of this game would be the next European champion as well. It’s too early to say something like this, but there’s no doubt – both teams are more than ready to lift the trophy. Just one of them will go through, though. Who is this going to be?