Euro 2020 boils down to a heavyweight showdown between Italy and England as the two nations battle it out for continental glory at Wembley on Sunday. Former Inter Milan and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has offered his view of England’s potential weak spots the Italians could try to exploit.
Italy needed a penalty shoot-out to overcome Spain in the semi-finals, while England performed a comeback to eke out a 2-1 extra-time victory over Denmark. Both sides have been nothing short of outstanding at Euro 2020 so far, especially defensively, highlighting the potential for a cagey low-scoring affair in London.
Before Sampdoria starlet Mikkel Damsgard netted a stunning free-kick last time out, England had gone 480 minutes without conceding at Euro 2020. Therefore, Italy will need to pull off something special to get past the defense that has faced a tournament-lowest average of 2.2 shots on target per game.
However, Antonio Conte seems to have found a potential solution for Italy to penetrate Gareth Southgate’s side, albeit sent a warning message to Roberto Mancini’s men about England’s pace in the final third.
“In the middle of the park, they have two very physical midfielders in [Declan] Rice and [Kalvin] Phillips, capable players who bring balance but very few vertical passes, often going for the easiest option,” he explained, as relayed by Gazzetta dello Sport.
“One of England’s weak spots is that, if their defence is pressed when building from the back, they aren’t as good as Spain at escaping their opponents’ press. But if you go after them with ultra-offensive pressing and they do escape, then watch out for their pace up front.
“Again, this is when the [Italy] players must show their experience at reading the various moments of the game.”
Seeking their first continental crown since 1968, Italy will draw confidence from beating England in all four meetings across major tournaments, including a penalty shoot-out win in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.
Though the Three Lions have been handed home comforts in the grand final, Mancini’s team will be highly motivated to wrap up the trophy at the ancestral home of English football.