Euro 2020 title favourites, Belgium face a tricky test as they meet Italy at Allainz Arena, Munich, Germany, in a blockbuster Quarter-Final.
Belgium edged out Portugal in the Round of 16 to advance to this stage, whereas Italy needed extra time to see off Austria and book their spot in the last eight.
Team News
Kevin De Bruyne is a major doubt for Belgium after struggling to recover from an ankle injury suffered in their Round of 16 win over Portugal.
Eden Hazard is also doubtful after suffering a muscle injury in the same match.
Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen and Thorgan Hazard meanwhile could be rested in order to ensure their availability for a potential semi-final, with the trio all just one booking away from suspension.
Italy have no fresh injury concerns and Roberto Mancini could name an unchanged starting line-up from their Last 16 win over Italy.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Nicolo Barella and Matteo Pessina however could be benched and utilised as substitutes, as a result of all being just one booking away from missing a potential semi-final.
Stat Attack
- Belgium are winless in three previous meetings against Italy at Euro Finals (D1, L2), although this is their first clash in the knockout stages after their previous ties all took place in Group Stage.
- Italy won both of their two wins over Belgium at Euros by 2-0 results in 1980 and 2000 tournaments.
- Belgium and Italy are the only two teams to have won all four matches so far at Euro 2020, with both teams conceding just once.
- No Italian player has produced more dribbles than Leonardo Spinazzola, who played 16 dribbles in three appearances at this tournament.
- Thomas Meunier and Romelu Lukaku are the only two Belgian players to have completed crosses at Euro 2020, having both completed one cross each in four appearances so far this tournament,
Prediction
With both teams entering this game in top form, Belgium certainly could of done with De Bruyne and Hazard both fully fit yet although they can take heart from having already won at Euro 2020 without either player after thrashing Russia in their Group B opener by a 3-0 result.
Italy meanwhile were cruising until they came up against Austria where they just suddenly lacked a lot of their usual creative attacking energy, which they only recovered through inspired substitutions and clinical finishing to squeeze through.
This game therefore feels difficult to predict because Belgium will likely sit back early on and suss Italy out before forcing their way through the game, where the Italians know that Belgium will be slightly vulnerable without De Bruyne in midfield so can afford to just go for it from the first whistle.
I therefore wouldn’t be surprised if we see extra-time here but this feels like last chance saloon for Belgium’s greatest generation yet to deliver on their potential, which should drive them towards the win if Italy get swallowed up by fatigue in the event that more than 90 minutes are required.
Prediction: Belgium 2-1 Italy
Result: Belgium 1-2 Italy