Impressive Luis de la Fuente Spain side will face the holders of the competition Italy in the first meeting of two continental giants in Euro 2024.
The match is a repeat of the Euro 2020 semi-final, in which the Azzurri won 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
La Roja produced a brilliant display to dismantle Croatia en route to a 3-0 victory in the group’s opening game. 16-year-old Lamine Yamal made the headlines, with Alvaro Morata and Fabian Ruiz also on the scoresheet to give Spain the lead Group B.
Italy recovered from conceding the quickest goal in European Championship history against Albania, with Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella completing a quick comeback to give Luciano Spalletti’s side an unconvincing 2-1 victory.
Those results set up a decisive game at the top of Group B, with either team likely to top the group if they can find victory in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Group B game.
When is Denmark vs England?
The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 20th June at the AufSchalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen.
What TV channel is it on?
Spain v Italy will be broadcast live on ITV and ITVX, with coverage from 7.15pm. You can find a full list of which channels are showing each match here.
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What’s new with the team?
There are no new injury concerns for Spain, despite Rodri and Morata coming off in the victory over Croatia. Given the team’s performance, it is unlikely that Luis de la Fuente will opt for any changes to the starting eleven.
Substitutes such as Olmo, Oyarzabal and Torres did not produce enough during their appearances to suggest they had earned a place in the starting line-up. If there was one area to experiment, it could be defense, with Bundesliga winner Alejandro Grimaldo a viable, more attacking option in place of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella at left-back. Both Nico Williams and Alvaro Morata have done enough to keep their places in the eleven, although Oyarzabal and Joselu are lurking.
The Azzurri also have no recent injuries and their lack of depth means Luciano Spalletti is likely to start in the same eleven that narrowly beat Albania.
The Italian defense appears immutable and there are few alternatives to the quality of Barella and Jorginho in midfield. Italy were at times prosaic in attacking Albania, although Federico Chiesa was impressive and will certainly keep his place on the wing. Gianluca Scamacca remains the biggest goal threat, with none of the five substitutes making a notable impact last week.
Predicted lineups
Spain: Simon; Carvajal, Nacho, Le Normand, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Frattesi, Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Scamacca, Pellegrini.
Chances
Spain – 1/1
Draw – 7/4
Italy – 10/21
Prediction
According to evidence from the first game, Spain’s midfield control and offensive energy should be too much for an Italian team that was at times prosaic against Albania. Spain’s defense was little tested in the first game, although Italy’s attack was often ineffective in the first game. Although Bastoni and Calafiori impressed against Albania, their chances are a sign that Spain will have plenty of opportunities. Spain 2-1 Italy
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