Football commentary on Italy vs England match: Hard to collect debt

In the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Italy and England are in Group C with Ukraine, Malta and North Macedonia. With their superior level, it would not be surprising if Italy and England won first and second place in the group.

The match between Italy and England is decisive for the top spot in Group C, so both teams really want to win. Looking back at history, the matches between the two teams were fierce and exciting. In the Euro 2020 final, Italy and England gave fans 120 minutes of tension before the "Azure" won the championship thanks to a penalty shootout victory. After Euro 2020, Italy and England continued to be in the same group A3 in the UEFA Nations League. And in both matches in the group stage, coach Roberto Mancini and his team did not lose to the "Three Lions". Accordingly, Italy won 1-0 at home and held their opponents to a 0-0 draw at Wembley.

Before the match, both Italy and England had their own difficulties. Italy's form was quite unstable when they only won 4, lost 3, and drew 2 in the last 9 matches in all competitions. The reigning Euro champions even failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup finals.

The England team also disappointed when they could not go far in the 2022 World Cup. Despite criticism from fans, coach Gareth Southgate is still trusted by the English Football Association.

Before the match against England, the Italian team did not have the service of Federico Chiesa, Federico Dimarco and Ivan Provedel due to injury. Previously, Ciro Immobile and Giacomo Raspadori were not called up due to different injuries.

On the England side, Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope all withdrew from the squad due to injury. Highly rated players such as Ben White, Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Callum Wilson were not called up this time. Despite being on the bench at MU, Harry Maguire is still a mainstay in the England squad. Meanwhile, Harry Kane is determined to surpass Wayne Rooney to become the Three Lions' top scorer.

According to statistics, the Italian team has won the last 14 Euro qualifiers and is unbeaten in 40 matches since losing 1-3 to France in 2006. For the past 24 years, the "Azure" has not lost at home in the Euro qualifiers, the most recent defeat was against Denmark with a score of 2-3 in 1999. As for the English team, they really want to pay back the debt of losing in the Euro 2020 final or in the Nations League 2022-2023. However, with poor away form, the "Three Lions" are not likely to win easily. Remember that the English team has not won in the last 3 away matches.

Notable Statistics

- Italy have won their last 14 Euro qualifiers and are unbeaten in 40 since losing 3-1 to France in 2006.

- Since 1999, Italy have not lost at home in Euro qualifying.

- England have not won in their last three away games.

- England have not beaten Italy in their last three matches.

- If counting in 90 official minutes, 4 out of the last 5 matches between England and Italy ended in a draw.

Expected lineup

Italy (3-4-3) : Donnarumma; Acerbi, Bonucci, Toloi; Spinazzola, Verratti, Cristante, Barella, Di Lorenzo; Retegui, Raspadori

England (4-3-3) : Pickford; Chilwell, Maguire, Stones, James; Rice, Bellingham, Henderson; Foden, Saka, Kane

HOAI PHUONG (synthesis)

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