The first heavyweight clash of the quarter-final stage of the 2020 European Championship sees favourites Belgium take on Italy this Friday at Allianz Arena, Munich.
Venue: Allianz Arena (Munich)
Key Statistics
Belgium have won all four of their European Championship games and are the only team left in the tournament to do so in 90 minutes.
They are on a five-game-winning run and are unbeaten in 13 games
No European nation has won more games (47) and scored more goals (175) than Belgium since Roberto Martínez took over.
Italy have won all their four games in the European Championship this year, but needed extra time to do so last time
They have not lost a game in 31 games and have kept 12 consecutive clean sheets within 90 minutes of regular time.
Italy’s last three Euro quarter-finals went to penalties (W1, L2)
Head to head
In nine competitive meetings between both sides, Belgium have won three times, scoring ten goals, while Italy have won four times, scoring 14 goals.
Latest performances
Belgium: DWWWWW (Goals for 10, goals against 2)
Italy: WWWWD (Goals for 20, goals against 1)
Belgium
World number one Belgium proved their status as Euro 2020 favourite again by defeating holders Portugal in the last round, thanks to a brilliant goal by Thorgan Hazard.
The win ensured that The Red Devils are alongside England the only sides that did not need to go to extra time or penalties to win in the last round.
Their aim now is to progress to the next round and they will be looking to do so against an equally impressive Italy who are one of the toughest opponents left in the competition.
Roberto Martinez’s side head into this tie on a run of five consecutive wins and will fancy their chances of winning this game.
However, injuries to key players Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne means that The Red Devils will look for ways to win without their best players.
Possible Switzerland starting line-ups
Thibaut Courtois; Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen; Thorgan Hazard, Axel Witsel, Youri Tielemans, Thomas Meunier; Yannick Carrasco, Dries Mertens, Romelu Lukaku.
Unavailable: Castagne
Doubtful: E. Hazard, De Bruyne
Misses next match if booked: Alderweireld, T. Hazard, Vermaelen
Italy
Italy needed extra time to beat Austria 2-1 in their last game and secure a place in this round. The result extended their unbeaten run to an incredible 31 games—a record run for Italy.
The Azzuri are now looking to extend that unbeaten run against Belgium to book them a place in the semi-finals for the first time since the 2012 European Championship.
Roberto Mancini’s men are also looking to set the record of five consecutive European Championship victories for Italy in this tie and look set to do so after keeping 12 clean sheets in a row in their last 12 games over 90 minutes.
Possible Spain starting line-ups
Gianluigi Donnarumma; Leonardo Spinazzola, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Giovanni Di Lorenzo; Jorginho, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Barella; Domenico Berardi, Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile.
Misses next match if booked: Barella, Di Lorenzo, Pessina
Probability
Belgium : Draw : Italy :: 30% : 32% : 38%
Prediction
This match remains an even tie with both teams equipped with the right tools to win. Belgium have a good attack, while Italy have a good defence. The game will be lost or won through marginal errors or a moment of brilliance.
Belgium 1:1 Italy