The stakes are high as reigning Euro 2020 champions, Italy tackle Spain at the San Siro Stadium today (Wednesday) for a place in the final of the UEFA Nations League while France host Belgium on Thursday at the Allianz Stadium.
The past three years under Roberto Mancini have been nothing short of a dream for Italy. Having been crowned the champions of Europe earlier this year, the Azzurri will be relishing the promise of winning another title with a triumph in the Nations League having made it to the final four after topping Group A1 that also has Poland Bosnia & Herzegovina and the Netherlands.
As for form, Roberto Mancini’s men are unbeaten in a record 38 games and head into the semi-finals on the back of a thumping 5-0 win over Lithuania in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier, although it must be noted that Italy failed to win any of their four matches prior to that within 90 minutes, including the semi-final and the final of the Euro 2020.
Meanwhile, Spain topped a difficult Group A4 that also involved Germany, Ukraine and Switzerland, to set up yet another semi-final meeting with Italy. Having lost out to the Azzurri on penalties at the penultimate stage of the European Championships, Luis Enrique and his men will be gunning for revenge when they step out at San Siro.
Last month’s international break saw Spain lose 2-1 to Sweden in a World Cup Qualifier but they mounted a strong recovery immediately, going on to beat Georgia 4-0 and Kosovo 2-0. And La Roja will be aiming to carry that momentum into the upcoming clash and take a step closer to lifting their first major trophy since the UEFA Euro 2012.
In the other fixture, two European powerhouses seeking continental glory after disappointing Euro 2020 campaigns meet in Thursday’s UEFA Nations League semi-final, as Belgium do battle with France at the Juventus Stadium.
Roberto Martinez’s side eased to top spot in League A Group 2 to advance to the final four, while Les Bleus pipped reigning champions Portugal to top spot in Group 3.
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