Two of the biggest European heavyweights collide as Spain face Italy in the second group game of the Euros on Thursday.
As Euro 2024 starts its second round of group stage games, Group B is absolutely mouth-watering, as Spain take on Italy which is one of the biggest match ups so far. One of the key things about tournament football is getting a good start and getting that first game out of the way.
There is a lot of history between the La Rojas and the Azzurri in the European Championships, in the most recent Euros clash Italy beat Spain in a tense 2020 European semi final on penalties. Italy reached the final as they beat England on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Spain, three-time winners, were triumphant eight years earlier in the 2012 European Championship final, as they thrashed Italy 4-0 with goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata.
Both teams started their Euro 2024 campaigns with wins in their opening game. Spain swept Croatia aside 3-0, seeking a fourth European Championship.
Alvaro Morata scored the opening goal of the game, after he was played through on goal by teammate Fabian Ruiz in the 29th-minute.
The 31-year old striker now has seven goals at the European Championship finals all-time. Only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has more with 14.
Just three minutes later Spain were 2-0 up as Ruiz, fed through by Pedri Gonzalez, swept past three Croatian players to strike home in the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic beaten.
The La Rojas third and final goal came in added time in the first half when defender Dani Carvajal headed home from Lamine Yamal’s cross to cruise to a 3-0 lead.
Spain, under the management of Luis de la Fuente, take on Italy hoping to qualify for the knockout stages of the Euros.
Italy, the defending European champions, opened their account with a 2-1 win over Albania.
In just 23 seconds the BVB Stadion Dortmund was stunned as Albania took a 1-0 lead after Nedim Bajrami’s strike following pressure on Italy’s defence.
However just 11 minutes later, Italy equalised through defender Alessandro Bastoni's header. The 23-year old headed home at the back post following a cross from Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Nico Barella’s sweet strike from outside the penalty area put the Italians in front to give them a 2-1 lead after a poor clearance from the Albania defence.
The Azzurri held on for all three points in Group B to start off their bid to retain the trophy they won three years ago.
Spain v Italy Head-to-Head
Spain and Italy have played each other 41 times in all competitions, going back to 1920 where Spain beat Italy 2-0 during the 1920 Summer Olympics.
Of the 41 games played in total, Italy have won 11 but Spain have 13 wins. The Azzurri have scored a total of 46 goals, one goal more than Spain’s 45.
In the 2020 UEFA European Championships, Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties after drawing 1-1. Morata scored La Rojas’ goal in the 1-1 draw but missed his penalty in the shootout.
Spain have lost back-to-back matches to Italy in each of the last two editions of the European Championships (Euro 2020 and Euro 2016).
The La Rojas' last win against Italy was in the 2023 Nations League in the semi finals with a 2-1 and went on to win the competition, beating Croatia in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw.
Four players that started the 2023 Nations League Semi Final for Spain also started in this year’s Euro 2024 opening group game against Croatia. Barella, one of five Italian players to have started the 2023 Nations League Semi Final and the first game in this year’s Euros, scored the winner against Albania.
Team News
Spain are hoping to have captain Morata back as he suffered a slight knock against Croatia. The 31-year old scored the opener in the 3-0 win.
However, the game may come too early for defender Aymeric Laporte as he continues to recover from muscle injury.
Italy’s Nicolo Fagioli could play some part in the Spain game, he returned from injury after being named on the subs bench against Albania.
Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo could battle with Pedri as one of two players to play the number 8 role alongside anchor Rodri and Ruiz in midfield.
In attack, Lamine Yamal is sure to lock down the right-side of a three man attack in De La Fuente’s team. The 16-year old became the youngest ever player to start a European championship match in the opener against Croatia.
Yamal also grabbed an assist for Carvajal’s goal in the 3-0 victory, and he may grab the headlines again should he produce another performance against Italy.
Federico Chiesa, Player of the Match in the opening game against Albania, will look to be the main man again for the Azzurri as his performance was recognised.
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Predicted line ups
Spain
Unai Simon; Cucurella, Nacho, Le Normand, Carvajal, Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri, N. Williams, Morata, L.Yamal
Manager: Luis de la Fuente
Italy
Donnarumma; F. Dimarco, Calafiori, Bastoni, Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Frattesi, L. Pellegrini, Scamacca, Chiesa
Manager: Luciano Spalletti
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Key players to watch
Spain: Lamine Yamal
A product from the great La Masia academy at Barcelona, Yamal’s 2023-24 La Liga season was a good one as he started 22 of the 37 league games.
The 16-year old Spaniard also made a good record with five goals and five assists for Barcelona as they finished second in the La Liga.
As a one to watch for the duration of the Euros, Yamal has certainly made an impression with Spain, becoming the youngest ever player to start a European Championship match at just 16 years old.
He opened his account by grabbing an assist for Dani Carvajal’s goal in the 3-0 group stage victory over Croatia. If the assist is an early indication of anything it means that Yamal will definitely have a role to play against Italy on Thursday.
Italy: Alessandro Bastoni
Defenders can bring games to life by just one single header, and Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni did just that when he equalised 1-1 against Albania following a cross from Pellegrini.
The 23 year-old centre back is seen as the Italian wall along with Riccardo Calafiori as the mainstay of the Italian backline to help keep out the Spanish attack.
Bastoni will not only be key defensively but also from set pieces during attacking phases of play, expect to see the Italian going up for headers in the box whether it is from free-kicks or corners.
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How and when to watch Spain v Italy
The game between Spain v Italy will kick off at 8:00pm BST on Thursday 20th June at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen. Viewers can watch the Group B fixture live on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK and the relevant U.S broadcasters.
