by Gareth Southgate UK launches qualifying campaign Euro 2024 with a trip Italy against current European champions. The Three Lions are hoping to end the bad situation against Azzurri after high-profile defeats in the Euro 2020 final and the Nations League.
England failed to beat Italy in the previous six meetings, this is a run that goes back more than a decade. They have not been victorious in Italy for over 60 years and will hope its exceptional form. Bukayo Saka and the captain Harry Kane into the international stage.
There are also concerns about the setting for tonight’s clash, as Napoli is the hotspot of football hooliganism. Nearly 2,500 British fans are expected to fly into the city for the match, which comes just a week after the Champions League fixture followed by the horrific scenes of violence between Napoli’s notorious ultras, German Eintracht Frankfurt fans.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game:
When is the match held?
In the opening match of EURO 2024 Qualifiers, Italy will host England at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, which will start at 19.45.
How to watch Italy v England match?
The match is broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK from 19:00.
What’s the news from the team?
Roberto Mancini included three players who did not play in a 30-man squad for this inaugural Euro 2024 qualifier. Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone, Torino defender Alessandro Buongiorno and Atletico Tigre striker Mateo Retegui were selected for the national squad for the first time. Ciro Immobile was injured, while Napoli’s Giacomo Raspadori and West Ham United’s Gianluca Scamacca lacked playing time and Mancini chose Scamacca over Raspadori.
While Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope were withdrawn from the England squad due to injuries, there were some notable shortcomings when Southgate’s group was announced last week. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Callum Wilson, and Ben White are not included, but there are places for Kalvin Phillips and Ivan Toney. Raheem Sterling is injured.
Estimated line-ups
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Scalvini, Bonucci, Acerbi; Di Lorenzo, Barella, Verratti, DiMarco; Politano, Berardi, Grifo
England XI: Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham, Henderson; Saka, Kane, Foden
Italy – 13/8
Draw – 9/4
England 13/8
Guess
England haven’t beaten Italy in over 60 years, so it’s a challenge for Gareth Southgate’s men.
Roberto Mancini’s European champions lost 2-0 to Austria last time and with England’s front in terrific form, the Three Lions can cause a upset and make a great start to their qualifying campaign.
More realistically, this will be a tense and shrewd relationship in a hostile environment for England, and they will do well to avoid defeat.
Italy 1-1 England.