After breezing through the Euro 2020 group stages, Italy beat Austria 2-1 on Saturday in their last round of 16 game to book a spot in the quarterfinals. Roberto Mancini’s men were the first to book their spot in the knockout stage of the tournament and they already look like a team that can go a lot further than the quarterfinals.
The team may not be packed with the superstars that major tournament contenders may have had in the past, but they remain confident about their skills and abilities.
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Most punters wagering with BetMGM Colorado that offers various sportsbook reviews are putting their money on Spain, Belgium, or England to take the title on 11th July at Wembley, Italy’s odds are shortening. The team is set to play against Belgium on 2nd July, after winning their last three games against Austria, Wales, and Switzerland. Their squad is expected to put up a strong fight against the major Euro 2020 contender (Belgium), after the majestic return of midfielder Marco Verratti.
Italy is off to the European Championship quarterfinals with a defense that conceded a goal after over 19 hours, although they have a national record of 12 straight wins. The team fought hard for their 2-1 victory, with the game coming to life only in extra time. It was Mancini’s substitutes who made the win possible, with goals from Mateo Pessina and Chiesa.
Going into the quarterfinals, Mancini is already considering changes with Domenico Beradi and Nicolo Barella at risk. According to Sky Sports Italy, Berardi might make way for Chiesa in the starting lineup for the quarterfinals, although this Juventus winger will come as a precious substitute and run at tired legs. However, Mancini would have to bring him in earlier than during the match against Austria to make a significant difference.
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While last game’s build-up was about choosing between Manuel Locatelli and Marco Verrati in the Midfield, it’s Barella who’s at the risk of being left out of the quarterfinal match. The Inter defender wasn’t looking sharp playing Austria and he also got a yellow card, so he risks suspension if Italy pushes through to the semi-final.
Pessina and Locatelli will therefore be battling to take his spot, with Jorginho and Verratti considered untouchable. The defense will depend on whether Alessandro Florenzi and Giorgio Chiellini can recover from their injuries on time, although Giovanni Di Lorenzo can retain their spots. There’s also a possibility of Rafael Toloi being used as a right-back for a more defensive style of play.
Italy stands a strong chance of winning the Euro 2020 Championship title if they manage to defeat Belgium in the quarterfinals, considering that favorites like France and Germany are off the race. However, fans can expect Belgium to put a strong lineup to book a spot in the Semi-finals, although they might be missing star players like Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.