Italy
Arsenal and Manchester stars deserve better, abuse must be stopped
And breathe. The European Championships ended in style on Sunday, with Italy lifting the trophy after an epic battle with England. Our pre-tournament 11/1 selection got the job done, but the payout has failed to soften the blow of seeing the Three Lions defeated. In our final Euro 2020 Diary, we look at three talking points from around the final, starting with some inevitable brainless behaviour by England ‘fans’. Boneheads shame England England’s hopes of beating Italy were cruelly ended as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missed in the penalty shoot-out. All three players were racially abused on social media afterwards, and a mural celebrating Rashford in Manchester was vandalised. What is wrong with people? .@TobyTarrant addresses the racial abuse England players suffer...
Euro 2020: Team of the Tournament
After a month of goals, late drama, penalty shoot-outs, controversy and everything else that makes football so wonderful, Euro 2020 has finally come to an end. Congratulations to Italy, who defeated England on penalties in the final on Sunday. All things considered, it was the correct result. Over the last few weeks, they’ve been the best side of the 24. Following all that excitement, here is our pick for the Team of the Tournament. Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) – It feels like Donnarumma has been around for a while now, but he is still just 22-years-old. He’s already one of the best goalkeepers in the world and could go down as one of the greatest of all time if he continues on his current trajectory. Donnarumma was crucial in two penalty shootout victories He was given the Player of the...
Tactical Analysis: How England nearly caught Italy off guard in the Euro 2020 final
This was it. A month, 50 games, and 140 goals after the curtain-raiser in Rome between Turkey and Italy, this was the ultimate stage of the Euros – the final. Coincidentally, Italy represented one half of the story. while hosts England were the other. Just as he had done against Germany, Gareth Southgate went for a back-three system, although the difference here was that he was not mirroring his opposition, but instead working against a 4-3-3. That decision took less than two minutes to make a lasting impact on the match, as England scored the fastest-ever goal at a Euro final. After an intense battle, Italy found an equaliser in the second half to take the game beyond the normally allocated 90 minutes. There were no goals in extra time either, so penalties were needed to decide the winner...
Leeds United star issued with important message ahead of England game
There are just under six hours to go before England and Italy face a date with destiny in the European Championship final at Wembley Stadium. England have the chance to end a 55-year wait to win a major tournament, while Italy will be eager to demonstrate why they were criminally overlooked by the bookmakers before a ball was kicked. Having tipped Italy at 11/1 to win Euro 2020 we can’t really lose this evening, although an England victory is obviously what we want. Mum says ‘play your best’ It is fair to say that most football fans don’t give a moment’s thought to the people associated with the players who pull on their team’s jersey. However, it’s worth remembering that each player is surrounded by a network of family and friends who are even more invested in proceedings. 🏴...
Gary Lineker urges Three Lions to ‘treasure’ Euro 2020 final
Gary Lineker has urged the England players to “treasure and enjoy” Sunday’s Euro 2020 final against Italy – but believes it is just the beginning and success will soon come even if they are beaten at Wembley. Gareth Southgate’s side are preparing for their first major tournament final in 55 years, something not even Lineker achieved during his time as a Three Lions player. The former Tottenham, Everton and Barcelona forward also praised the players for the showing a “shining social conscience” off the field which represents the “very best” of England. In an open letter to the England team in the Players’ Tribune, Lineker said: “I wish I was playing with you. This is the sort of occasion you dream about as a player. And honestly, it’s much less nerve-racking out on the pitch than in the sta...
Napoli, Roma want Chelsea to lower Emerson Palmieri asking price
Napoli and Roma are interested in Emerson Palmieri, but Chelsea will need to lower their around £17m valuation of the Italy left-back. Palmieri, who is set to start for Italy in the Euro 2020 Final against England on Sunday, has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge this summer. The 26-year-old is through to be keen on a return to Italy and new Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti has confirmed he has spoken to Emerson about a potential reunion, having worked with him at Roma. It has also been suggested Palmieri could return to Roma to replace Leonardo Spinazzola, who has been ruled out for up to eight months after rupturing his Achilles. Recommended Stories You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you ...
Roberto Martinez to stay on as Belgium coach
Roberto Martinez will stay on as Belgium coach despite the country’s European Championship exit and attempt another tilt at a major title at next year’s World Cup, he said in an interview with Belgian newspapers on Friday. Martinez, whose contract runs until after next year’s tournament in Qatar, had not given any clarity on his plans since Belgium were beaten 2-1 by Italy in Munich in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals a week ago in a major disappointment for the team, who have spent the last three years top of the Fifa rankings. “I’m staying as coach. When I feel I no longer have anything to contribute is when I will leave,” he said. “But I don’t have that feeling now. I was a bitterly disappointed to be knocked out but now I’m looking ahead to the World Cup in Qatar. And also the Nations Leag...
Chelsea star doubles down, former United player wades into debate
Much like waiting for birthdays to come when we were children, the next two days will drag, won’t they? The 2020 European Championships have been excellent, and hopefully the final between Italy and England will be a fitting climax to a wonderful month. We’ve just a handful (if you’re missing a thumb) of the Euro 2020 Diary left to write, so let’s get stuck into the latest one. Mount doubles down The starstruck youngster who cried tears of joy after Mason Mount gave her his England shirt has been in big demand with the media today. Belle McNally appeared with her dad on the ‘This Morning’ show and was once again left blubbing after receiving a video message from the Chelsea star. 10-year-old Belle’s dreams came true this week when midfielder @masonmount_10 spotted her in the crowd after th...
Italy vs England – Euro 2020 Final Preview, H2H, Team News, Players to Watch & Predicted Line-ups
Euro 2020 boils down to a titanic showdown between continental supreme forces as Italy tackle England in the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The Italians have laid their eyes on their first continental glory since wrapping up the Euro 1968 trophy, having since lost two finals in 2000 and 2012. Aiming to win their first-ever European Championship crown, England are the favourites as they play at the ancestral home of their nation’s football. Note: You can watch all Euro 2020 games via live streaming. Who are the key players? Italy Napoli winger Lorenzo Insigne did not only score a stunner to nudge Italy past Belgium in a keenly-contested quarter-final showdown, but he also notched a late equaliser in the last H2H meeting at Wembley. In addition to the 30-year-old, the Italians will...
Arsenal star tipped to make surprise return after injury
Italy booked their place in the final of the European Championships with a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory over Spain on Tuesday. Spain exited the tournament despite racking up more than one million passes against an Italian team that were happy to let them have the ball. England are favourites to join them in the final, although it would be foolish to underestimate the threat posed by Denmark this evening. Saka set to start England have been tipped to make one change to their line-up for the semi-final, with Bukayo Saka replacing Jadon Sancho. The 19-year-old missed the last-eight clash against Ukraine after picking up a knock, and Sancho was hugely impressive in his absence. 🚨 England expected to make one change for tonight’s #EURO2020 SF v Denmark — Bukayo Saka set to regain...
UEFA invite Christian Eriksen, medics who saved him to Euro final
European football governing body UEFA have invited Denmark international Christian Eriksen and the paramedics who helped save his life during an on-field cardiac arrest to attend the EURO 2020 final at Wembley on Sunday. The brilliant Danish midfielder was resuscitated in front of shocked fans and a massive global TV audience during his nation’s first match of the tournament. Uefa said Eriksen, his wife and six medics were invited to the final, but there was no confirmation he would attend. One of the paramedics, Peder Ersgaard, said he was honoured to receive a VIP invite from Uefa boss Aleksander Ceferin. “I’m excited, like a child on Christmas Eve,” he told the Fagbladet FOA magazine. “I’m very proud of my efforts, but also of the whole team. It wasn’t a one-man effort.” Eriksen collaps...
Napoli man MOTM, Barcelona duo also impress – Italy 1-1 Spain Player Ratings
Italy reached the Euro 2020 final after a tense penalty shootout victory against Spain. Spain had the better of the early exchanges, twice creating chances to open the scoring. Mikel Oyarzabal was played through on goal by Pedri but his touch let him down, and Ferran Torres saw his shot from outside the box dribble wide. Italy got their first opportunity of the game, and it was one that they may feel they should have done better with. Emerson got in behind after a one-two with Lorenzo Insigne and squared for Ciro Immobile. Goalkeeper Unai Simon out of his goal, but neither Immobile nor Nicolo Barella were able to get a shot away. The best chance of the half came shortly afterwards. Pedri and Oyarzabal were again influential, working an opening for Dani Olmo, but the RB Leipzig man’s shot w...
