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Match preview

How Italy and Spain could line up in Nations League semi-final

Two of the most decorated countries in the history of the game face-off in Milan, with Italy fresh off a Euro 2020 win

The semi-final of the UEFA Nations League takes place on Tuesday, with European Championships winners Italy facing Spain in Milan.

The countries battled in the semi-final of Euro 2020, with Alvaro Morata equalising with 10 minutes to go in normal time after Federico Chiesa gave Italy the lead.

Eventually, the Azzurri won 4-2 on penalties to book their place in the final against England, going on to defeat Gareth Southgate's men, again on penalties.

Roberto Mancini will have a few issues with his team selection due to some absentees in attack.

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Gianluigi Donnarumma will start in goal behind a back four of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Emerson Palmieri.

Leonardo Spinazzola is still out with an Achilles injury suffered at the Euros.

Nicolo Barella, Jorginho and Marco Verratti should make up the midfield three, though new Juventus man Manuel Locatelli is also pushing for a start.

Both Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti are injured, so Mancini must decide whether to play one of two youngsters in Moise Kean or Giacomo Raspadori, or potentially with a False Nine.

Italy v Spain: Potential XIs

SPA vs ITA - Football tactics and formations

With Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Insigne on the wings, Lorenzo Pellegrini could be asked to play centrally.

For Spain, Unai Simon will likely continue in goal despite David de Gea's excellent recent form.

Cesar Azpilicueta is the most obvious option at right-back, with Pau Torres partnering Aymeric Laporte in the middle and Sergio Reguilon on the left.

With Pedri, Thiago and Marcos Llorente withdrawing from the squad due to injury, Luis Enrique may opt to give a start to Mikel Merino in midfield alongside Sergio Busquets and Koke.

17-year-old Barcelona midfielder Gavi has also been called up for the first time but it is unlikely he will be thrown in from the start.

Dani Olmo and Alvaro Morata are not in the squad because of injury so Enrique does not have many options up top.

Ferran Torres should lead the line, probably flanked by Mikel Oyarzabal and Pablo Sarabia.

Match statistics

Italy
Statistics
Spain
Games Played
20
20
 
Results
 
Wins
16
10
Draws
4
7
Losses
0
3
 
Goals Scoring
 
Goals Scored
45
39
Goals Per Game
2.25
1.95
More > 2.5 Goals
8
8
More > 3 Goals
4
6
Scored First in a Match
17
12
Scored Both Halves
8
7
Won More > 1 Goal
11
7
 
Other
 
Goals Conceded
6
14
Did Not Score
2
4
Both Teams Scored
6
10
Kept Clean Sheet
14
9
Won Without Conceding
12
6
Games Played
20
20
 
Possession
 
Touches
805
1,005
Possession
59
73
Passes
613
819
 
Attacking
 
Total Shots
18
17
Shots on Target
5.53
6.44
Goals out of Shots
0.10
0.12
Crosses
16
24
Offsides
3.65
1.71
Penalties
0.25
0.00
 
Defensive
 
Clean Sheets
0.70
0.45
Tackles Won
-
-
Clearances
13
6.92
Interceptions
14
9.15
Own Goals
0.00
0.05
Aerials Won
15
13
Total Shots Conceded
7.12
5.06
Shots on Target Conceded
2.20
2.57
Goals out of Shots Conceded
0.04
0.20
 
Discipline
 
Fouls
12
10
Yellow Cards
1.45
0.75
Red Cards
0.00
0.00