Spain defeated Italy in the Nations League semi-finals in San Siro last year, with Ferran Torres stealing the show with a brace, but the Azzurri will be hoping to get their revenge at the same hurdle in Enschede on Thursday (19:45).
La Roja were unable to complete the job as they were beaten 2-1 by France in the final, but the winner of this contest would be fancied to go on and claim the Nations League title.
- Italy to qualify
- Under 2.5 goals
- Mateo Retegui to score at anytime
Italy Hold The Aces In Semi-Final Showdown
Italy failed to qualify for last year’s World Cup while Spain crashed out to Morocco on penalties in the last 16, so both have a point to prove in this Nations League semi-final.
However, the Azzurri look the more convincing of the pair and they had a tougher section to progress from as they won Group A3 at the expense of England, Germany and Hungary, amassing 11 points over their six matches.
Spain, meanwhile, finished one point clear of Portugal and two ahead of Switzerland in Group A2 and they have been dealt a blow in midfield with the injury to Barcelona pass-master Pedri.
La Roja are still likely to dominate possession, as they so often do, but they look a work in progress under Luis de la Fuente and are plagued by having no focal point to their attack.
Creating chances is no problem to Spain but converting them is and only once in their last five internationals have they managed to score more than once. They are still ever-reliant on Alvaro Morata to lead the line, but the Atletico Madrid man has never been the most prolific.
In their most recent Euro 2024 qualifier, Spain suffered a 2-0 defeat against Scotland at Hampden Park and that could spell trouble for them against an Italy side desperate to be back in the big time.
Low Scoring Affair Expected
Spain won the most recent encounter between these sides 2-1 in the Nations League two years ago, but six of the subsequent seven meetings before that ended with no more than two goals.
Given the stakes, Spain’s lack of cutting edge and Italy’s defensive discipline, it looks highly likely that goals may be in short supply once more.
When winning Euro 2020, Italy relied on their organisational skills and defensive resolve, and bringing the experienced Leonardo Bonucci back into the fray will only help in that department.
Roberto Mancini appears to have assembled a powerful and well-balanced squad while four of Spain’s six games in the Nations League group-stage saw two or fewer goals.
Retegui To Continue Strong Start
Argentina-born forward Mateo Retegui was called up for the first time by Italy coach Mancini for March’s European qualifiers and he didn’t disappoint with goals against England and Malta.
With Ciro Immobile back in the squad, he isn’t a guaranteed starter, but if given the nod in attack he should be taken to continue his fine start to life with the Azzurri.
The 24-year-old should be sharper than most as his club side Tigre, who ply their trade in Argentina’s Primera Division, are midway through their season and Retegui has bagged ten goals in 16 appearances.
MATEO RETEGUI TO SCORE ANYTIME
