Italy V Spain - Kicks off at 2000, 6 July from Wembley Stadium. Live on BBC One and BBC Iplayer.
Two really good teams here that have played fluid, attacking football throughout the Competition. Italy look to be the strongest team left in the tournament. They have so much quality right through the squad and proved how good they are by beating the world's number one ranked team, Belgium, in the quarter finals. As we've said throughout the tournament, Roberto Mancini has put together an attacking side that have lost none of their defensive quality, gamesmanship and will to win at all costs. Their two goals against the Belgians were of huge quality. It's a shame left back Leonardo Spinazzola won't play after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the Belgium game. New Roma Coach Jose Mourinho must be hugely disappointed to be without Spinazzola for the first few months of the domestic season. The full back has been outstanding for the Azzurri during the Euros. It's likely that Chelsea's Emerson Palmieri will start as he did against Wales earlier in the Competition. Brazilian born Emerson hardly played for Chelsea last season due to the form of England's Ben Chilwell. He is fully fit though and whilst perhaps not quite as attacking as Spinazzola he is still an attacking full back and a
good crosser of the ball. Once again the strength of Italy's squad means Spinazzola's injury shouldn't unbalance them too much. Mancini has no other injury concerns so Italy should start with a similar team as the one that faced Belgium. Other than Balerdi and Chiesa fighting it out for the right wing position Mancini has kept the same starting eleven in most games. Italy have goals right through their team plus a centre forward in Ciro Immobile that finishes well. He has just two in the tournament so far (and one assist) but is well capable of adding to that. Every Italian player has performed well during these Euros but Insigne on the left wing has been one of the stars. He also has two goals but is a constant threat with attacking runs down the flank or cutting inside. He combined brilliantly with Spinazzola so it will be interesting to see how he works with Emerson on that side. The Azzurri also have one of the best keepers in the tournament in Gianluigi Donnarumma and probably the best defensive partnership in Bonucci and Chiellini. The Juventus pairing are not blessed with pace yet no one has been able to take advantage of that. They just read the game so well Italy and Immobile in particular have been lambasted for rolling around the floor unnecessarily. against Belgium. I don't think they'll care about that at all though. They have the mentality to win whatever it takes and the play acting aside they have been brilliant to watch over the last few weeks. I would say the team of the tournament so far.
Spain have also played well in the tournament so far but laboured a little in their last game against Switzerland. They scored through a deflected shot and were lucky to see Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler sent off on 77 minutes. The Spanish were still the better side though, dominating possession and having plenty of shots on goal. Once again though the lack of clinical goal scorer nearly cost them. It's been said so many times but they are a prolific striker away from being a great team. If coach Luis Enrique can keep the nucleus of this young side together and finds a forward who can finish he'll have a fantastic side for the World Cup in Qatar next year. Spain have a nice balance between experienced leaders like Busquets, Azpilicueta and Alba and the youthful exuberance of players like Pedri, Marcos Llorente and Ferran Torres. No matter what the age every player has quality and is comfortable on the ball. PSG winger Pablo Sarabia is a doubt with a muscle injury. Sarabia has not started every game in the tournament but has featured in all five, scoring two goals with one assist. Moreno will probably start on the right side of the three man attack. This could be a close game but with Spain struggling to score in some games and coming up against an impressive defense I think Italy will win.
Frenchfooty prediction: Italy 2 V Spain 0
That was quite a match. Spain played much better than in previous rounds and should have won. You are right they are missing an out-and-out striker.