Spain vs Italy is set to face each other in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals for the second time in two years. This highly anticipated clash between two European heavyweights will take place in Enschede on Thursday evening. The winner of this match will progress to the final and have a chance to lift the trophy against either Croatia. (If you are interested in betting, then you should learn more about Orbit Exchange or Betting Exchange.)
Spain vs Italy Preview for UEFA Nations League Semi-Final Match
Italy had an impressive performance in the group stages of the UEFA Nations League, defeating England and Germany in Group 3. They are coming off a comfortable 2-0 victory over Malta in their previous game and will be aiming to replicate that success in this crucial match.
On the other hand, Spain has also shown improvement in recent months. They narrowly edged Portugal to finish at the top of their group. However, they suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat against Scotland in their last match and will be determined to bounce back strong.
Spain vs Italy Head-to-Head Stats
Spain has a good record against Italy, having won 13 out of the 35 matches played between the two teams, while Italy has secured 10 victories. Furthermore, Spain has lost only two of their last 10 matches against Italy in all competitions, with their previous defeat against the Azzurri coming on penalties at the Euros in 2021.
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In their recent outings, Spain has won only one of their last five matches in all competitions, with their sole victory during this period being a 3-0 win against Norway in March this year. Three out of the last four matches between Spain and Italy have witnessed goals from both teams, with Spain keeping a clean sheet in their 3-0 victory in 2017.
Italy, on the other hand, has won only two of their last four matches in all competitions, suffering defeats against England and Austria during this period.
Spain vs Italy Team News and Expected Lineups
Spain will be missing key players such as Sergio Busquets, Pedri, and Ferran Torres in this crucial match. However, they will rely on the experience of Jordi Alba, who has been named the captain for the game. Fran Garcia, who recently completed a move to Real Madrid, has also been called up to the squad following Juan Bernat’s withdrawal. Spain’s versatile forward, Dani Olmo, is hoping to recover from a muscular injury sustained in training but may not start the game. Robin Le Normand is expected to make his debut in central defense.
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Italy will be without Domenico Berardi, Matteo Pessina, and Alessandro Bastoni due to injury and illness. Roberto Mancini has made several changes to his preliminary squad, omitting players like Alessandro Florenzi, Mattia Zaccagni, and Federico Baschirotto. Mateo Retegui, who impressed with his performances earlier this year, is expected to start up front, but he faces competition from Ciro Immobile.
Spain vs Italy Prediction
In what is expected to be a closely contested match, we predict that Spain will emerge as the winners with a narrow 1-0 victory over Italy. Both teams will be looking for stability and consistency after a series of mixed results. The long and demanding season may take a toll on the Italian players, giving Spain an advantage as they thrive on possession-based football.
As the match progresses, both coaches might adopt a more cautious approach, especially considering the fatigue and workload endured by some of the Italy players during the previous season. Spain’s ability to control the game and make their opponents work hard for possession will likely play a significant role in securing their victory.
In conclusion, the UEFA Nations League semi-final between Spain and Italy promises to be a thrilling encounter between two talented teams. The outcome will heavily depend on Spain’s possession-oriented style and Italy’s resilience in defense. Football fans can look forward to an exciting match filled with intensity and skill as these two European powerhouses battle it out for a spot in the final.
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