Italy is one step away from the final. It seemed impossible, that terrible faded blue night of 2018, overwhelmed by the Sweden earthquake. It almost seems obvious, today that all of Italy is full of the beauty of Mancini’s football brushed up to now between rounds, round of 16 and quarter-finals. It is not, above all it is not overcoming Luis Enrique’s Spain. Resurrected, from two consecutive draws in the group stage, and crushed from then on. But there are two fireworks attacks on the pitch: 11 goals for Chiellini and his teammates against 12 for the Red Furies.
Mancini’s Azzurri are playing for the definitive consecration, access to the game that can be worth glory, the thrills of a dream that was impossible even to think. Since 2018, everything has changed: men – except for a few survivors – play and above all enthusiasm. However, the feelings of defeat would not change: losing at the time was dramatic, now it would hurt almost the same way. Given how close Italy is to the return to triumph, given how beautiful Mancini’s Italy is to watch and cheer on. The players on the pitch know this and don’t want to wake up. They can conquer football eternity in a story, that of the Italian national team, which the European championship won only once over half a century ago. In the Wembley setting, to keep dreaming you need to beat Spain.
So the two teams are on the pitch
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Church, Building, Insigne.
Spain (4-3-3): Simon; Azpilicueta, Eric Garcia, Laporte, Jordi Alba; Koke, Busquets, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo.
The first half
Italy-Spain has begun, the first semifinal of this traveling European. Mancini’s Italy does not change, apart from Emerson Palmieri, the owner in place of the injured Spinazzola. After three minutes, Italy’s first enterprising action that surprises Spain’s defense high, but the filter for Barella catches him offside. The Inter midfielder had hit the post at the end of the action. The game continues in the study phase: Spain holds possession, Italy is collected in its half without running any danger.
Italy-Spain 0-0, follow the live minute by minute
The homage in the pre-game
In honor of Raffaella Carrà, Italy warmed up before the Euro 2020 semifinal against Spain to the tune of “A make love begins you”, the world success of the star, who passed away yesterday. Upon explicit request, presented on the eve of the FIGC, Uefa has agreed to include in the pre-match playlist a song by the Italian artist, applauded and danced by the many Italian fans present in the stands of the London stadium.