Italy vs England possible line-ups: suspended and injured players
As Italy and England prepare to face off in the Euro 2020 final, we take a look at who is expected to start for each side at Wembley Stadium.
Italy and England meet in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday (8pm local time, 3pm EDT), with the Azzurri out to claim their first European title in 53 years and the Three Lions bidding to lift their first major trophy of any description since 1966.
Italy, who were beaten finalists at Euro 2000 and Euro 2012, have not won the European Championship since defeating Yugoslavia in a 1968 final replay in Rome. Meanwhile, England have never previously progressed beyond the tournament’s semi-final stage. Their World Cup win 55 years ago is their only international success to date.
Italy reached the Euro 2020 final by beating Spain on penalties after a thrilling semi-final ended 1-1, before England set up a clash with the Italians when they edged out Denmark, Harry Kane’s extra-time goal giving Gareth Southgate’s men a 2-1 win.
Italy: Euro 2020 final team news
There appear to be few question marks over the side head coach Roberto Mancini will pick to face England. Italy have no suspensions, and their only injury absentee is Leonardo Spinazzola, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in the quarter-final victory over Belgium.
In Spinazzola’s absence, Emerson Palmieri deputised at left-back against Spain, and can be expected to do so again on Sunday. Federico Chiesa started on the right wing ahead of Domenico Berardi in both the quarter and semi-finals and, having particularly impressed against Spain - the Juventus man scored Italy’s only goal - he looks set to keep his place.
Although it seems unlikely to happen, there have been suggestions in the Italian media that striker Ciro Immobile could drop to the bench after failing to score in any of Italy’s knockout-stage games, potentially with Lorenzo Insigne operating as a false nine.
Possible Italy line-up against England:
Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Chiellini, Bonucci, Emerson, Jorginho, Verratti, Barrella, Chiesa, Insigne, Immobile
England: Euro 2020 final team news
England boss Southgate is yet to name an unchanged line-up at Euro 2020, but he could well break that trend in the final.
The position that has been most susceptible to changes in personnel has been the right side of the forward line - but after getting the nod over Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho against Denmark, Bukayo Saka looks odds-on to start there against Italy, too. Given the threat Emerson and Insigne will pose England on the Azzurri’s left, the Arsenal man’s abilities not only in attack but also in defence may well persuade Southgate to go with him once more.
As of Saturday, Foden was England's only fitness doubt, having sat out the team's final training session with what was described as a "minor knock". No members of the squad are suspended.
Having gone with a back three only once at Euro 2020 - when he chose to match Germany’s 3-4-3 in the 2-0 last-16 win over Joachim Löw’s side - Southgate can be expected to stick with a four-man defence against Italy’s 4-3-3.
Possible England line-up against Italy:
Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Saka, Mount, Sterling, Kane