By Daily sports on June 26, 2021

Italy play Austria in a UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 tie at Wembley Stadium in London today, Saturday, June 26, 2021.

No team impressed more in the group stage than Group A winners Italy, who qualified with back-to-back 3-0 victories over Turkey and Switzerland before taking their winning streak to 11 games – all without conceding a goal – by edging Wales 1-0. They will expect nothing less than to maintain both runs at Wembley Stadium.

Austria’s first two Group C matches went to form with a comfortable 3-1 success against North Macedonia followed by a 2-0 defeat by the Netherlands. They saved their best performance for when they truly needed it, though, dominating Ukraine and taking the points through Christoph Baumgartner’s solitary goal. A similar display will be required here.

PREDICTED LINE-UPS

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli; Berardi, Immobile, Insigne

Doubtful: Florenzi (calf), Chiellini (thigh)

Misses next match if booked: Pessina

Austria: Bachmann; Lainer, Dragović, Hinteregger, Alaba; Laimer, Grillitsch, X. Schlager; Sabitzer, Baumgartner; Arnautović

Out: Lazaro (thigh)

Misses next match if booked: Alaba, Bachmann, Lainer

REPORTERS’ VIEWS

Paolo Menicucci, Italy reporter: There is so much enthusiasm in the Italy squad that my only concern is: too much enthusiasm? Do the Azzurri risk thinking about a potential quarter-final against Belgium or Portugal before facing Austria? Roberto Mancini is too experienced for such a mistake and is working hard on his players’ mindset to avoid this. Still, the Italy side that bossed Group A in Rome must accept the role of favourites here.

Jordan Maciel, Austria reporter: Austria have nothing to lose at Wembley. There’s no denying they are the underdogs against the formidable Italians, but it’s a role Franco Foda’s team can revel in. Their performance against Ukraine showed what they are capable of when they play on the front foot. If they have the courage to take the same approach on Saturday, the reward may be the sweetest yet.

VIEW FROM THE CAMPS

Roberto Mancini, Italy coach: “Austria have quality, they are aggressive. We will need to play a great match. It is the part of the competition where you can’t afford to make a mistake, that's the beauty of these tournaments. You have to win by force; you can’t do anything else.”

Lorenzo Insigne, Italy forward: “We have watched some of Austria’s matches. We haven't discussed any details yet but, from what we’ve seen, they are a very physical team who can run and press the entire match. But we won’t let ourselves be influenced by them; we’ll play our football. All we need to do is stay calm and prepare for this match like all the others in order to go out and play a great game.”

Franco Foda, Austria coach: “The team has achieved something spectacular. We are in the round of 16 and now we want to do everything we can to take the next step and reach the quarter-finals in Munich. We are full of confidence and focus on Italy. Italy have been the team that have impressed me the most. They attack well, their positioning is good and they are also strong in transition. Even in the third match they looked strong despite making a lot of changes. They are a dangerous squad.”

David Alaba, Austria defender: “It’s a dream come true for each and every one of us, playing at Wembley against Italy in the round of 16 at a EURO. It would be incredible to reach the quarter-final in Munich. That would be unbelievable for all of us – another dream come true. But we’re not thinking about that yet. Our focus is on the game.”

Florian Grillitsch, Austria midfielder: “Of course, we know that Italy are favourites. But we've already achieved something historic; why shouldn't we keep going? We're the underdogs, we know we’ll need another top performance, to raise our game another level, and perhaps even get a bit of luck.” (UEFA)

•PHOTO: Italy players

Source Daily sports

Posted June 26, 2021

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