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Group A winners Italy will face UEFA European Championship Round of 16 debutants Austria at the Wembley Stadium in England on Monday with a quarter-final place at stake in Euro 2020.
Roberto Mancini’s men started their Euro 2020 campaign with a bang as they beat Turkey 3-0 in the tournament opener. Mancini fielded a second-string starting XI against Wales, and yet, Italy came out on top with a scoreline of 1-0. The Azzuri followed it up with a 3-0 win against Switzerland and sealed their qualification to the Round of 16 after just two matches.
Austria also started their Euro 2020 campaign with a 3-1 win against North Macedonia but followed it up with a 2-0 thrashing at the hands of group winner, the Netherlands. A narrow 1-0 win over Ukraine booked Austria’s place in the knockout stages of Euros for the first time in the nation’s history.
Italy would be looking to maintain their perfect run against Austria as they haven’t lost to the nation since their 1-2 defeat in 1960. The Azzuri has won 10 of their 13 matches against Austria since then, drawing the other three matches. Italy also has a perfect record against Austria in major tournaments as they have come out winners in all four meetings at the FIFA World Cup.
Team News
After resting most of his key players against Wales, Mancini is expected to name them in the starting XI for the crucial Round of 16 clash against Austria. Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro Florenzi are doubts for the match after picking up injuries during the group stage matches.
After showing flexibility with formations in the group stage matches, Austria manager Franco Foda is keeping his cards up his sleeves in regards to the tactics. Going against one of the best three-men midfield in the tournament, Foda could name a three-man midfield as well to save his team from losing the midfield battle.
Austria could miss the services of midfielder Konrad Laimer and the match-winner against Ukraine, Christoph Baumgartner, as both are doubts for their nation’s debut in the knockout stages of the continental competition.
Key Players
Manuel Locatelli has continued his rise as a world-class central midfielder in the Euro 2020 after a brilliant Serie A season with Sassuolo scoring 4 goals and 3 assists. The 23-year old was rested against Wales and his replacement Marco Verrati did a splendid job earning a lot of praise from fans and pundits alike, but Locatelli may hold on to his place against Austria.
Leonardo Spinazzola has been a key figure in the Azzuri defence and has made to several high-profile Euros group stage XI despite making only two appearances before being rested for the Wales clash.
David Alaba arguably has the 2 most crucial assists of Austria’s Euro 2020 campaign despite playing in the centre of a 3-men backline in the first two matches and at left-back in the win over Ukraine. The new Real Madrid signing would be crucial against Italy irrespective of his position on the field.
Prediction
No team could offer Italy a challenge in Group A and Round of 16 debutants Austria looks no different with the Azzuri expected to cakewalk their way into the Euro 2020 quarter-finals to set up a potential clash with either favourites Belgium or defending champions Portugal.
Austria caused an upset against Ukraine and can repeat their brilliant performance against Mancini’s men on Saturday if key players perform to their potential.
