England are looking to recover from their wretched run in this season’s Nations League with a victory against old foes Italy from the European Championship final defeat.
The Three Lions already have knocked themselves out from the finals of the competition next year while Italy are only three points off to seal the berth to the latter rounds.
ITA vs ENG Match Details
Date: Friday, 23 September 2022 / Saturday, 24 September 2022
Time: 20:45 (CET) / 00:15 (IST)
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
ITA vs ENG Match Preview
Roberto Manchini’s new look Italy had a mixed bag of results in the June fixtures of the Nations League. They started the campaign with a 1-1 draw against Germany before narrowly winning against Hungary and the 0-0 stalemate with England. The 5-2 thrashing by Die Mannschaft in their last Nations League game gave the Azzurri a reminder of their present state. The erratic result was also the cause of the games being right after a tremulous club season as for many other nation’s issues in the competition. However, it is no denying the fact Italy have not found themselves since beating England, whom they face on Friday, in the Euro finals. Getting beaten by North Macedonia in the playoffs for the World Cup was a new low when so much was done for a reversal of fortune. The 3-0 thrashing by Copa America winners Argentina in Finalissima is the last of experienced campaigners Manchini allowed in the squad notably Giorgio Chiellini who announced his retirement from international football. The current squad lacks a leadership figure to guide the team with Italy relying more on youthfulness than ever to take them to greater heights again. With no World Cup to worry about, the Azzurri will be free of any pressure other than to improve their standing in the table while taking on the Three Lions and Hungary in the September fixtures. Taking three points from their first five games of the Nations League this season has placed them in the third spot trailing Germany and surprise leaders Hungary in the group. Roberto Manchini’s side will be keen to carry on their unbeaten record over England in their last five games and pile more misery on the opponents by relegating them to League B with a victory at San Siro. Although, their only win in this fixture in normal time came in the group stages of the 2014 World Cup the last time the Azzurri were in the showpiece.
Gareth Southgate has a real dilemma to sort out for England in the two pre-World Cup games this month knowing their chase for the Nations League title is over in the group stages itself. The Three Lions have not picked up a single victory in the tournament this season staying rock bottom with only two points on board. Moreover, a defeat in the next game will relegate them from League A and that itself will multiply the pressure on Southgate. Their concerning 4-0 loss to Hungary in the last match has grabbed the headlines of the media for all the wrong reasons with the loss still must be in the head of the coach and the players before they take to the pitch again. Facing Italy on the back of an unconvincing record against them and a 0-0 draw to forget in the reverse fixture is a test of confidence for this group of players. Also, Southgate’s decision to go for his trusted lieutenants than in-form players has raised eyebrows. The continued faith in Harry Maguire who is now benched by Manchester United for his poor form over first-teamers like Ben White at Arsenal or taking a recovering Jack Grealish from his injury in place of Jadon Sancho or James Maddison in scoring form is a gamble Southgate and England are wishing to pay off. One cannot criticize is captain Harry Kane’s chance to reach a landmark number of goals for his nation. The Tottenham Hotspurs striker is three goals behind to reach Wayne Rooney's tally of 53 goals and four goals behind to be the all-time top scorer for England. His striking form can save the Three Lions from further downfall by picking up necessary points in their last two games of the Nations League. Anything positive in September will be a great boost before taking the flight to Qatar in November with USA, Iran and Wales waiting for them in the group stages of the World Cup.
Recent Form
ITA: LDWDL
ENG: LDDLW
ITA vs ENG Team News
In what comes as a huge blow for Italy star midfielder Marco Verratti won’t be joining the camp after picking up a calf injury in the last game for PSG before the international break. Sassuolo’s Davide Fratessi will be taking his place in the squad instead. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Mateo Politano have also pulled out due to injuries with Manolo Gabbiadini called in for replacement. Impressing in the Nations League game in June, Wilfried Gnoto has been included again alongside West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca. Even without a goal in his nation shirt for over a year, Ciro Immobile will still continue to lead the frontline. Lazio’s Ivan Provedel, Empoli’s Guglielmo Vicario and Salernitana’s Pasquale Mazzocchi have been called up to the national team squad for the first time. Davide Calabria and Nicolo Zaniolo have been left out.
Gareth Southgate included Kalvin Phillips in the 28-men list despite his shoulder injury keeping him out of action for Manchester City but was forced to withdraw to have surgery otherwise his participation at the World Cup will be a risk. Jordan Henderson has been called up in his place after not being on the initial list due to a hamstring injury that he has recovered from. In the absence of Jordan Pickford through injury, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale will hold the number one spot for the side. Brentford’s Ivan Toney could earn his debut for the Three Lions after being called up to the national squad for the first time. Defender John Stones is suspended for this game after picking up a second booking in the humiliating loss to Hungary. Southgate has decided against including Ben White, Jadon Sancho and James Maddison in the squad despite the trio performing exceedingly well at the club level.
ITA vs ENG Predicted Lineups
ITA: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Bastoni, Leonardo Bonucci, Emerson Palmieri; Nicolo Barella, Jorginho Sandro Tonali; Wilfried Gnonto, Ciro Immobile, Vincenzo Grifo
ENG: Aaron Ramsdale; Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, Harry Maguire; Kieran Trippier, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Ben Chilwell; Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Phil Foden
ITA vs ENG Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Donnarumma (8.5)
DEF: James (8), Tomori (9), Bastoni (9), Trippier (9)
MID: Rice (8), Barella (8.5), Bellingham (8.5)
FW: Sterling (7), Kane (9), Immobile (8)
Captain: Harry Kane
Vice-captain: Raheem Sterling
