UEFA Nations League Preview: Italy vs Spain – key stats, line-ups, H2H, Prediction

Jorginho-Italy

Italy and Spain lock horns in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League 2020/21, which will also be a repeat of the Euro 2020 semi-finals.

Venue: San Siro

Key Statistics

  • Spain came out as the toppers of League A Group 4 of the Nations League Italy were unbeaten in League A Group 1.
  • Italy have won four of their last ten meetings against Spain, with three games ending in draws.
  • The previous meeting between these two sides came in the semi-finals of Euro 2020, with Italy prevailing over Spain in the end.

Head to Head records

Italy have the edge in the head to head records against Spain, winning four of their last seven meetings. Three games ended in draws while Spain have won three times

Recent form

Italy: W W W D D W

Spain: W W L L W W

Italy

Italy enjoyed a brilliant campaign in the European Championship under Roberto Mancini, eventually getting their hands on the title.

However, their first international break since the Euro 2020 didn’t turn out to be the best as they were held to draws against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Now, they will be looking to add another trophy to their cabinet, as they are set to face old foes Spain in the semifinals of the Nations League.

Mancini has brought in Moise Kean as a replacement for striker Ciro Immobile, who opted out of the competition due to injury.

Possible line-ups

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Emerson Palmieri; Jorginho, Nico Barella, Marco Verratti; Lorenzo Insigne, Federico Chiesa, Moise Kean

Spain

Spain created a name for themselves in the European Championship because of their style of play under Luis Enrique, with mostly youngsters playing the trade.

But their dreams were shattered by Italy in the semi-finals and the Azzurri went on to lift the title.

Now, Enrique will be looking to exact revenge on the Italians when they visit them at San Siro on Wednesday.

Spain and Italy arguably played the best game of Euro 2020 and the expectations are even higher when they meet in the last four of the Nations League on Wednesay.

Like the last time, Enrique hasn’t called up any player from Real Madrid while Barcelona’s emerging talent Pablo Gavi earns his first call-up.

Possible line-ups

David de Gea, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Reguilon, Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Koke; Pablo Sarabia, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres

Prediction

Italy 0 – 1 Spain