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Euro 2020: Italy vs. Spain Preview

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Italy will face Spain in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 at Wembley in the presence of 60,000 spectators on Tuesday.

This will be a repeat of the 2012 Euro final when Spain ran out winners 4-0.

Between them, these 2 countries have won 4 European Championships amongst them.

No wonder, football fans across the world will be watching this contest with bated breath.

Team News

Leonardo Spinazzola suffered a terrible foot injury against Belgium and will be out of action for about six months.

This is a devastating blow to Italy as Spinazzola has redefined the role of ‘wing-back-winger’ and leaves Roberto Mancini with a major task of finding a replacement for the influential wing-back.

However, this injury can also galvanise the Italian squad.

There were moving scenes after the game as the team rallied around the Roma left-back, vowing to win the tournament for him.

Emerson might be the man to replace Spinazzola, although this is a switch that will surely weaken Italy’s threat from out wide.

Alessandro Florenzi is back in contention after a calf problem, but Mancini needs to decide whether to select him ahead of Giovanni Di Lorenzo for the right-back position.

Further up the field, Mancini has a wealth of attacking options, with the likes of in-form trio Matteo Pessino, Manuel Locatelli and Federico Chiesa pushing for starting berths.

Ciro Immobile put in a poor display in the match against Belgium and this might push him behind Andrea Belotti in the pecking order, for the centre-forward berth.

The biggest plus point is that Marco Verratti is back from injury and his ability to unlock the brittle Spanish defence with a killer pass will come in handy.

For Spain, PSG winger Pablo Sarabia is a major doubt after picking up a muscle injury against Switzerland.

Red Bull RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo is likely to cover in his absence.

Ferran Torres is likely to keep his place in the side and will link up alongside Dani Olmo and Alvaro Morata in attack.

However, there is an injury concern regarding Aymeric Laporte.

Italy Predicted Team

Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne

Spain Predicted Team

Simon, Azpilicueta, Laporte, Torres, Alba, Koke, Busquets, Pedri, Torres, Morata, Olmo

Team form

Spain hasn’t hit the heights at Euro 2020, but still find themselves in the final four of the tournament.

After a sluggish start, the Spanish sparked into life with two five goal performances against Slovakia and Croatia.

The erratic form continued against the Swiss in the quarter-finals when La Roja weren’t at their best.

The creative flair needed to unlock a packed defense has been lacking.

Despite dominating the ball and chances, the play seems almost formulaic and too easy to predict.

This will certainly be cause for concern for Luis Enrique, especially after seeing how the Italians blunted the world-class Belgium attack.

Head to Head record

Spain have won 12, drawn 12 and lost just nine of their matches against the Azzurri.

Since 2000, they have been even more dominant, winning seven, drawing four and losing only two.

One of these came in Euro 2016.

The two heavyweights met in the Round of 16, with Giorgio Chiellini and Graziano Pelle sending Italy into the quarter-finals.

The two sides last met in World Cup 2018 qualifying with Spain winning 3-0 at the Bernabeu following a 1-1 draw at the Juventus Stadium.

However, Spain, along with Germany, are the joint most successful team in the history of the European Championship.

They won it in 1964 before achieving back-to-back crowns in 2008 and 2012.

Italy, meanwhile, have only won it once – back in 1968.

Prediction

Based on current form, we expect Italy to beat Spain 2-0.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Emotional Moment Recalled by Rio Ferdinand

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Rio Ferdinand recalls Alex Ferguson’s tough criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo, highlighting his resilience and eventual rise to greatness.

Rio Ferdinand shared an emotional incident involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Alex Ferguson during their Manchester United days. The story highlights Ferguson’s management style and Ronaldo’s journey to becoming a football legend.

According to Ferdinand, the incident occurred early in Cristiano Ronaldo career. Ferguson criticized Ronaldo in front of the team after a subpar performance. The harsh words left Ronaldo in tears, but they also sparked a determination to improve.

Ferdinand explained that Ferguson used such moments to build mental toughness in young players. The criticism wasn’t meant to demean but to push Ronaldo toward greatness. This tough-love approach became a hallmark of Ferguson’s management.

Ronaldo responded by working harder on his game, focusing on areas Ferguson pointed out. Ferdinand recalled how Ronaldo’s commitment to improvement impressed both teammates and coaches. This incident marked a turning point in Ronaldo’s development.

The story also sheds light on Ferguson’s ability to read players and tailor his approach. While his methods were tough, they often brought out the best in players like Ronaldo.

Ferdinand emphasized that Ronaldo’s resilience and willingness to learn set him apart. He turned criticism into motivation, eventually becoming one of the greatest footballers in history.

This anecdote offers a glimpse into the dynamics of a legendary player-coach relationship. It also highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in professional sports.

Ronaldo’s ability to handle challenges and grow from them remains a key lesson for aspiring athletes. The story serves as a reminder of how tough moments can lead to extraordinary success with the right mindset.

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Bukayo Saka Injury: Arsenal Star Out for Several Weeks

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Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka faces weeks of recovery due to a hamstring injury. Manager Arteta confirms plans for his return.

Bukayo Saka had hamstring injury will keep him sidelined for several weeks, confirmed Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. This announcement comes as a significant blow to Arsenal’s campaign, as Saka plays a pivotal role in the team’s attack.

Arteta revealed that Bukayo Saka injury occurred during a recent match and requires adequate recovery time. Medical evaluations confirmed the severity of the issue, necessitating a break from competitive football.

Saka’s absence creates challenges for Arsenal, particularly in crucial upcoming matches. The team must now explore alternative strategies to maintain their performance without one of their key players.

Arteta emphasized the importance of player health and stressed that Saka’s recovery would not be rushed. The manager expressed confidence in the squad’s depth and adaptability to manage this period effectively.

Arsenal’s medical staff will closely monitor Saka’s rehabilitation to ensure a safe and complete recovery. The club remains optimistic about his return later in the season.

Fans expressed their support for Saka, wishing him a speedy recovery. His contributions this season have been vital, making his absence a significant setback. Arsenal supporters eagerly await updates on his progress.

This development highlights the physical demands on players in competitive football. Teams must balance performance and player welfare to prevent such injuries. Arsenal’s handling of Saka’s situation reflects their commitment to safeguarding their players’ health.

Saka’s injury adds pressure on Arsenal to perform without their star winger. The team’s response during this period will test their resilience and ability to adapt to challenging circumstances.

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FC Goa Triumphs Over Mohun Bagan with a 2-1 Victory

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FC Goa defeats Mohun Bagan

FC Goa defeats Mohun Bagan! FC Goa secured a memorable 2-1 victory against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Indian Super League at Fatorda Stadium. This high-stakes encounter ended Mohun Bagan’s unbeaten streak, marking a significant moment in the league.

Brison Fernandes opened the scoring for FC Goa in the 13th minute, assisted by Borja Herrera. His shot deflected off Mohun Bagan’s Tom Aldred, giving Goa an early lead. Despite pressing attacks, Mohun Bagan failed to capitalize on opportunities during the first half, keeping FC Goa ahead.

The second half saw Mohun Bagan equalize through Dimitrios Petratos’ penalty, awarded after a handball by Armando. With the match level, momentum shifted briefly in favor of Mohun Bagan. However, FC Goa struck again in the 68th minute as Brison Fernandes headed in Herrera’s precise cross, sealing the lead and eventual victory for the home side. FC Goa defeats Mohun Bagan!

FC Goa’s defense stood firm during the closing stages, with Sandesh Jhingan and Odei Onaindia effectively countering Mohun Bagan’s attempts to find another equalizer. This win elevated FC Goa to third place in the league standings with 22 points from 12 matches, showcasing their strong form this season.

The match underscored FC Goa’s resilience and tactical discipline, while Mohun Bagan will aim to bounce back from this setback. Fans were treated to an exciting contest, reflecting the competitive spirit of the league.

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