Table-toppers Italy will face Wales at the Olimpico Stadium in Rome on Sunday to decide the final standings in the Group A of Euros 2020.
The Azzuri started the tournament with two consecutive 3-0 wins and became the first team to seal their qualification to the Round of 16 despite not being one of the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the prestigious Euros 2020 trophy at the end of the tournament.
After sweeping past Turkey in the tournament opener, Roberto Mancini’s men defeated Switzerland courtesy of a Manuel Locatelli brace and Ciro Immobile’s second goal in the 2020 edition of the UEFA European Championship.
On the other hand, the match would be crucial for the Welsh team as they could seal their qualification to the Round of 16 with possibly a single point on Sunday. Although, if they end up losing to Italy in Rome on the weekend, the Gareth Bale-led side’s destiny could end up in the hands of other teams in the tournament.
Italy would be looking to maintain their perfect run in the tournament and go into the next Round with the confidence riding high whilst Wales would be happy enough to just make it to the knockout rounds.
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Mancini would be targeting the winning streak to be maintained against Wales, but the former Man City manager’s priority would be to rest his key players and give the fringe players a go in the starting XI with a chance to impress the manager.
The Juventus duo of Federico Bernardsechi and Federico Chiesa can start amongst the forwards, and Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini could be the star in a changed midfield.
Wales stand-in manager Rob Page would be happy with his key players Bale, Ramsey, Davies, and James regaining form against Turkey. The Dragons are expected to field the same XI with Harry Wilson also a shout to start or at least come on as an impact substitute.
Key Players
After Giorgio Chiellini went off injured against Switzerland before the half-hour mark, there were doubts regarding the Italians’ ability to keep their 10th consecutive clean sheet. Without the skipper on the field, Leonardo Bonucci took on the armband and acted as the true leader of defence to help the Azzuri keep another clean sheet in Euros 2020.
With the Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne expected to rest out of the Wales match, Federico Bernardeschi is expected to step up and be the shining light up front to keep the Wales defence occupied throughout the 90 minutes.
After sitting on the bench at Real Madrid for prolonged periods, Gareth Bale moved back to Tottenham Hotspurs on a loan move. The 31-year old couldn’t shake off the inconsistency in London but emerged as a bright spark multiple times, and he is reciprocating the same with his national team.
Prediction
There is a reason that the Italians are the favourites to top the Group A of the tournament with their resolute defence, solid midfield, and in-form forwards. The Azzuri could prove to be too much for Wales on Sunday.
With Roberto Mancini expected to rest many of his key players allowing them to blow off steam before the important knockout stages, the Welsh attack could trouble the Italians and come out on top against a strong defence.
