The pitch of the Veltins-Arena awaits a classic European encounter on Thursday evening, as Spain faces Italy in a match that could have telling implications for Group B’s hierarchy. With the Spaniards leading after a 3-0 victory over Croatia and the Italians hot on their heels after their 2-1 win over Albania — with Albania’s Bajrami scoring the fastest goal in EURO history just 23 seconds in the game — the stakes are high for both teams.
What You Need To Know
Date and Time: Thursday, June 20, 2024 | 8 PM BST
Venue: Veltins-Arena (Arena AufSchalke), Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (SVN)
Where to Watch (UK): BBC TV Sport, ITV UK
Same Day Matches
- Slovenia vs. Serbia (Group C)
- Denmark vs. England (Group C)
Spain vs Italy: Some Context
This upcoming match marks the 11th major tournament encounter between these two titans of European football, across both the UEFA EURO (8 times) and FIFA World Cup (3 times). It’s also the fifth consecutive EURO tournament in which they’ve faced each other, stretching back to 2008, setting a new record.
Spain has beaten Italy in their last two meetings in the UEFA Nations League, and they’ll aim to extend this to a third consecutive victory — a record they’ve yet to achieve against the Azzurri.
Expectations and Predictions
SPAIN
While the exact line-ups will only be confirmed on match day, it’s anticipated that Spain, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, will opt for a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on midfield dominance and wide attacking play. De La Fuente’s team policies centre around ball possession and pressuring opponents into turnovers, aiming to exploit any defensive gaps.
ITALY
Italy, on the other hand, is expected to counter with a 4-2-3-1 formation, providing them with stability in defence and fluidity in attack. Their strategic setup under Spalletti has emphasized strong midfield play and quick transitions to the forward line.
What we can expect
Predicting the outcome of this match is a challenge. Spain and Italy both possess the quality and tournament pedigree to secure a win, making this fixture an unpredictable and gripping contest.
Both sides show tactical depth and resilience, with Spain possibly having a slight edge due to their current form and offensive versatility. However, Italy’s tactical rigour and counter-attacking threat should not be underestimated, promising a clash filled with strategic manoeuvres and possibly crucial moments that could swing the game either way.
Both Spain and Italy are approaching this match with confidence, underpinned by their historical achievements and recent successes. Their encounters at major tournaments are always highly anticipated by fans, and this match in Gelsenkirchen is expected to be no different. As both teams compete for dominance in Group B, their strategic choices, from formation to player selection, will be critical in this pivotal match-up.