The England team Gareth Southgate should pick to beat Italy in Euro 2020 final
55 years of hurt could finally come to an end this weekend when England host Italy at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final, with football on the very brink of coming home… at long last.
That fabled World Cup summer night in 1966 at the old Wembley was the last time the Three Lions found themselves in a final at a major international tournament, and more than half a century later, Gareth Southgate’s side have a chance to write a poetic piece of history of their own.
Wins over Croatia and Czech Republic, as well as the less memorable goalless draw with Scotland, saw England breeze through Group D and set up a meeting with rivals Germany in the Round of 16.
In the sternest of knockout tests, England disposed of the Germans, before going on to beat Ukraine in the quarters and Denmark in the semi-finals to set up a meeting with Roberto Mancini’s side in Sunday’s Wembley showdown.
Italy have gone 33 games unbeaten under Mancini, and they have already seen off the world’s No.1 ranked side Belgium as well as Spain at Euro 2020.
Southgate, meanwhile, is yet to field the same XI for two games in a row this summer, and may need to tinker with his side once again to deal with the Italians.
Goalkeeper and defence – Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw
The least contentious area for England is their back five, with just one goal conceded – in the Denmark win – across the whole tournament.
That one solitary strike, a dipping, swerving free-kick by Mikkel Damsgaard, arguably should have been saved by Jordan Pickford.
Though it was a venomous effort, it wasn’t near the corner of Pickford’s net and was struck from almost 30 yards out.
The Everton stopper also threw the ball straight to Danish players on two occasions, but given his previous heroics, most notably during the Germany win, it would be extremely harsh to drop him.
The rest of England’s go-to backline this summer; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, have been nothing short of phenomenal, especially Maguire.
The Manchester United captain was a huge doubt going into the tournament after he suffered an ankle injury on club duty in May, but he returned in the Czech Republic win and has been monstrous in defence ever since.
Set-pieces could be key against the Italians, and there is no one else you would want challenging the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci for a header in the opposition box.
His United team-mate Shaw has also been outstanding, registering three assists from left-back while still remaining solid defensively.
Midfield – Phillips, Rice, Sancho, Grealish, Sterling
This is where things could get tricky for Southgate as he tries to nullify Italy’s midfield maestro Jorginho, as well as Nicolo Barella and the silky Marco Verratti.
Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice should get the nod at the base of midfield, as they have done for every single one of England’s games so far. As the old saying goes, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, and that’s exactly what Southgate needs to avoid doing with them two.
Further forward, though, England may need the ingenuity of Jack Grealish to unlock Italy’s stubborn defence and compact three in midfield.
Despite looking bright after replacing Bukayo Saka midway through the second half against Denmark, Grealish was brutally subbed for Kieran Tripper in extra time as Southgate looked for his side to clutch onto their 2-1 lead.
The Aston Villa skipper has struggled for playing time throughout the tournament, starting just once – against Czech Republic in the group stages – but whenever he has played, he has offered energy, trickery and guile.
His inclusion would come at the expense of Mason Mount, who hasn’t put a foot wrong yet this summer, but equally, hasn’t dazzled like Grealish can.
Getting through the Italians via the middle of the pitch may prove to be a difficult task, meaning England will need their wide players to be as dynamic as ever at Wembley.
Raheem Sterling has been one of the best players at the tournament so far, scoring three goals in six games, but on the other flank, Southgate has a big decision to make.
Bukayo Saka has impressed in the wins over Czech Republic, Germany and Denmark, but this could be a game for Manchester United’s new £73million signing Jadon Sancho.
In his only start of the tournament against Ukraine, Sancho shows flashes of his brilliance in the first half, although he tailed off after half-time.
His proficiency in one-on-one situations is clear to see, and though Saka has been brilliant, Sancho’s capability to terrorise Italy left-back Emerson and create a big moment in a tight encounter could be key.
Sancho’s big advantage over Saka is he is right-footed, rather than left, meaning he can get it to the byline more naturally to whip in a ball for Harry Kane.
Up front – Kane
This one needs little to no deliberation.
The captain, leader and hero Kane has hauled England to the final with some invaluable contributions along the way, despite a slow start to the tournament.
Kane’s form was called into question with the striker failing to score in England’s first three games in the group stages.
But he came to the fore against Germany, scoring a late second goal to wrap up the win, and he has reached top form at the perfect time.
Kane bagged a brace in the meeting with Ukraine before going on to win the semi-final for his country against Denmark when he fired in a rebounded penalty.
Although his future at Tottenham is up in the air, there will be no doubt in his mind that he can lead England to Euro 2020 glory this summer.
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