GOAL previews the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier Italy vs England, with team news, predictions, head to head record, key players
Italy will take on England as they begin their defence of the European championship in the EURO 2024 qualifier on Thursday.
⚽️ Where to watch Italy vs England
The defending EURO champions failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, and head coach Roberto Mancini will be hoping for a strong response with a win against England in their first game of the EURO 2024 qualification round.
Gareth Southgate is under pressure to deliver results with England after the Three Lions failed to get past France in the quarter-final of the World Cup. Harry Kane and co. have struggled against Italy in the recent past and will hope to get their first win in 11 years against Thursday's opponents.
GOAL previews the EURO 2024 qualifier between Italy and England, with team news, predictions, head-to-head record, key battles and much more below.
GettyTeam analysisItaly team news
Italy Starting XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma; Leonardo Spinazzola, Francesco Acerbi, Rafael Toloi, Giovanni Di Lorenzo; Marco Verratti, Jorginho, Nicolo Barella; Lorenzo Pellegrini, Mateo Retegui, Domenico Berardi
Recent form
Italy topped their group in the Nations League and booked their place in the final four of the competition. Having missed out on a ticket to the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, they played two friendlies during that period. In the first of the two friendlies, Vincenzo Grifo's brace helped Italy pick up a 3-1 win over Albania. In the second match, they lost 0-2 to Austria in November, 2022 and that was the team's last outing.
Key players
Italy will have Arsenal midfielder Jorginho looking to control the tempo in the centre of midfield against England. Following his transfer from Chelsea in January, the midfielder has made 11 appearances for the Premier League title favourites and will be high in confidence during international duty.
Injuries & suspensions
Mancini's team will be without Federico Chiesa, left-back Federico Dimarco and goalkeeper Ivan Provedel who are not part of the camp due to injuries. Mancini has instead called up four uncapped players to the squad – Marco Carnesecchi, Wladimiro Falcone, Alessandro Buongiorno and Mateo Retegui.
Tactical approach
Italy will need to start on a winning note in their defence of the European championship. They ended England's hopes of 'football coming home' by beating them on penalties in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley. As always, Mancini's team will be expected to be solid at the back without being boring and then find gaps in the final third in transition.
Goalkeepers:Gianluigi Donnarumma, Wladimiro Falcone, Alex MeretDefenders:Francesco Acerbi, Leonardo Bonucci, Alessandro Buongiorno, Matteo Darmian, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessio Romagnoli, Giorgio Scalvini, Leonardo Spinazzola, Rafael Toloi;Midfielders:Nicolò Barella, Bryan Cristante, Davide Frattesi, Jorginho, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matteo Pessina, Sandro Tonali, Marco VerrattiForwards:Domenico Berardi, Wilfried Gnonto, Vincenzo Grifo, Simone Pafundi, Matteo Politano, Mateo Retegui, Gianluca ScamaccaEngland team news
England Starting XI
Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Jack Grealish
Recent form
England's last outing was in the 2022 World Cup where they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage with a defeat at the hands of France. Prior to that, they had gone five games without a defeat. Their previous loss, prior to the World Cup, was at the hands of Italy in the Nations League when Giacomo Raspadori grabbed the match-winner.
Key players
Harry Kane is just one goal away from becoming his country's all-time leading goalscorer, surpassing Wayne Rooney's tally of 53 goals. He has been excellent for Tottenham as well, with 21 goals this season and will be the one to keep an eye on for the Italian defence.
Injuries & suspensions
Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope have pulled out from the England camp due to injuries and will play no part in the Euro 2024 qualification round opener.
Tactical approach
Southgate's been trusted to take England back to the top despite a lack of silverware in recent years. With plenty of attacking talent at his disposal, England will be expected to take the game to their opponents and control the game against Italy, with Kane at the forefront of the attacking line.
Goalkeepers:Jordan Pickford, Aaron RamsdaleDefenders:Ben Chilwell, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle WalkerMidfielders:Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, James Maddison, Kalvin Phillips, Declan RiceForwards:Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Ivan ToneyHead-to-head record
September 24, 2022Italy 1-0 EnglandUEFA Nations LeagueJune 12, 2022England 0-0 ItalyUEFA Nations LeagueJuly 12, 2021Italy 1 -1 England (3-2 on penalties)Euro 2020Mar 28, 2018England 1-1 ItalyFriendlyApril 1, 2015Italy 1-1 EnglandFriendly
With four draws (in normal time) out of the last five meetings, games between these two teams have been hard-fought battles. England have not been able to beat Italy since a friendly win 2012 whereas Italy beat the Three Lions in both the Euro 2020 final and also the Nations League.
AdvertisementGettyItaly vs England match previewVenue, date & kick-off time
The Euro 2024 qualifier between Italy and England will be played at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Thursday, March 23. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7.45pm GMT (3.45pm EDT).
Match predictions & expected outcome
Both England and Italy have a point to prove to their fans. Moreover, England are badly in need of a victory against Italy due to a head-to-head record that has seen them hand the Three Lions two painful defeats – in the Euro 2020 final and in the Nations League which ultimately condemned them to relegation from the top tier. It should be a tight match once again, but with England emerging as the winner at the end of the game.
Key battles to watch out for
Kane will be looking to score his 54th goal for England and surpass Rooney to become the nation's all-time top scorer. However, Italian centre-back Leonardo Bonucci will be hoping to keep the Tottenham striker in check and that attack vs defence battle will be a fascinating one to watch on Thursday.
Potential game changers
Bukayo Saka has 12 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season. England will hope he can carry his incredible domestic form over to the international stage. The Arsenal man can act as the key to unlock the Italian defence and both score and also assist.
Getty/GOALOur final thoughts on the matchEngland have failed to win against Italy in their last six fixtures – their last victory against the Italians came in 2012.The Three Lions will depend on Kane who will be looking to score his 54th goal and surpass Rooney to become the country's all-time top scorer.Mancini will want to start Italy's EURO championship defence on a winning note despite missing players due to injuriesGetty ImagesUseful links
Italy team page
England team page
Live football on TV in the UK
Live soccer on TV in the U.S.
Where to watch England's EURO 2024 qualifiers
Mancini takes a dig at England boss Southgate
Italy vs England: Where to watch the match online, live stream, TV channels & kick-off time