A do-or-die tie for England as we look at the best predicted lineup for England vs Italy 2022 Group 3 match of Nations League.
It’s mid-September, and the countdown for the world’s biggest footballing event, World Cup 2022 has already begun. The pre-World Cup action has nothing less to offer. All the teams are shaping up nicely, and would like to set their foot in the Football World Cup on a positive note.
The three lions have had one of the worst starts to their Nations League campaign with 2 losses and 2 draws. They are sitting at the bottom of the table with only 2 points in hand. England had a 4-goal defeat against Hungary; their worst performance against Hungary ever. Having conceded 6 goals and only scoring 1 goal in the tournament, Southgate’s men have to find answers in almost every department.
Italy have already failed to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. They have got 5 points in their kitty with only 2 games remaining. If they are unable to do well in this tournament, it would be a major disappointment for Mancini’s men. Mancini is really focused. He is taking the tournament really seriously, and he is sticking to his experienced side with no new debut calls.
England have not won in Italy since 1961, and have a lot to prove in this fixture as well. With a lot at stake for both teams, the expectations from this match would be really high, and we will surely witness a thriller on 24th September. So, as we wait for the match to begin, let’s look at the history, squad, and predicted lineup for 2022 Italy vs England Group A3 match.
History
The last 4 matches between these 2 sides have ended in a draw, with Italy winning the Nations League fixture last year in penalties. The last time both met in the tournament, it was a goalless draw with England dominating the possession.
Games Played: 29 // Italy won: 12 // England won: 8 // Draw: 9
Match Details:
League Type: UEFA Nations League (Group A3)
Match Type: Italy vs England
Stadium: San Siro, Milan
When: September 24, 12:15 am IST
Squad Details:
Italy Squad:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Ivan Provedel (Lazio), Guglielmo Vicario (Empoli)
Defenders:Francesco Acerbi (Inter), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Emerson Palmieri (West Ham), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Luiz Felipe (Real Betis), Pasquale Mazzocchi (Salernitana), Rafael Toloi (Atalanta)
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Jorginho (Chelsea), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Tommaso Pobega (Milan), Sandro Tonali (Milan), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain);
Forwards: Matteo Cancellieri (Lazio), Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds), Vincenzo Grifo (Friburgo), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Gianluca Scamacca (West Ham), Alessio Zerbin (Napoli)
Manager: Robert Mancini
Current Form (Recent last): L D W D L
England Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest) Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).
Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Roma), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Ivan Toney (Brentford).
Manager: Gareth Southgate
Current Form (Recent last): W L D D L
Predicting Starting 11 for both Teams
UEFA Nations League 2022-23: Italy Vs England Lineup for Italy
Italy have stuck to their most experienced starting 11 in the tournament. They will be expected to do the same in this matchup. Donnarumma has done pretty well for the team in recent years. He is expected to be number 1 for the team in this match as well.
The Biggest blow to the Italy side is the injury to Marco Verratti. He is expected to be replaced by Sassuolo’s Davide Frattesi as confirmed by Mancini. With Bonucci in the centre along with Bostoni, Lorenzo and Emerson, the Italy team will be starting with 4 defenders.
Jorginio has not been at his best for the past 1 year, but is expected to start this game along with Barella and Tonali. The midfield has been letting the team down and they have to be stronger if they want to progress in the tournament. Grifo, Scamacca and Gnonto are expected to start the match with Immobile giving a solid option to Mancini in the later half to push the throttle.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Defence: Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Bonucci, Emerson
Midfield: Jorginho, Barella, Tonali
Attack: Grifo, Scamacca, Wilfried Gnonto
Formation: 4-3-3
UEFA Nations League 2022-23: Italy Vs England Lineup for England
Southgate is clear in his approach, and would like to see the coming 2 matches as a preparation for the WC with nothing to lose. He is open to trying out new lads, and handing over debut calls to a few.
Ramsdale has done pretty well for Arsenal this season and this makes him favorite to start in this match ahead of Pickford. James has been in a top form and would be a top choice for his position. Maguire will start the match due to an injury to Stones. He will be supported and the back by Tomori and Chilwell.
The midfield has many options for Southgate and he will be happy to give opportunities to the majority of them. Phillips and Rice are expected to support the mid-line at the back with Sterling Mount and Grealish at the top. Meanwhile, Tammy Abraham is the top choice to start as the lone striker for the match as Kane is out of the squad due to injury.
Goalkeeper: Ramsdale
Defence: James, Maguire, Tomori Chilwell
Midfield: Phillips, Rice, Sterling, Mount, Grealish
Attack: Abraham
Formation: 4-2-3-1
UEFA Nations League 2022-23: Italy Vs England Fantasy 11
Both teams need to score and win the match to stay in the tournament. It isn’t expected to be a high-scoring game, but both teams will surely play some attacking football for sure.
Donnarumma has not been at the top of the game but with a better defence line, he is the first-choice keeper for us. The defence line that we opt for includes the solid centre-back of Italy and the fast-paced and talented wings of England which surely going to have an impact on the game.
English mid-field have given some hope during the previous encounter between the two teams. They are good playmakers and can fire a few long-range shots if need be. The attacking line for both the teams hasn’t been great but both our picks can be game-changer if they get going.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Defenders: James, Bastoni, Bonucci, Chilwell
Midfielders Sterling, Mason Mount, Tonali, Rice
Forwards: Wilfried Gnonto, Abraham
CVC Choice: Mason Mount & Gianluigi Donnarumma
Thanks for reading! Who do you think would win the match of Italy vs England in UEFA Nations League? Please email your thoughts to footbalyticsofficial@gmail.com
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Himanshu is an author at Footbalytics. He is a sports freak and Football is his first love. He is a National level football player himself. With the world full of Messi’s, Ronaldo’s and Gerrard’s fans, he is a die hard fan of Iker Casillas.
Though he is a Sales Manager by profession, he would never miss playing football with his mates.