2023 Nations League: Spain vs Italy live
Preview
Familiar foes Spain and Italy face off at the De Grolsch Veste Stadium in the Netherlands in a replay of the 2021 semi-final match. The match is scheduled to kick off at 6:45 pm(GMT) with Slavko Vincic in charge as center referee. Jose Luis De La Fuente has a chance to play in his first final as manager of Spain six months into his appointment as Italy hope to make amends for missing out on the World Cup. A win today for either side will set up the final match of the competition against Croatia at the De Kuip in Rotterdam.
Spain under new manager De La Fuente have tried to set up with a mix of youth and experience since their disappointing defeat to Morocco in the 1/16th round of the 2022 World Cup. La Roja won 3-0 against Norway in the new manager’s first match before losing in disappointing fashion 2-0 to Scotland in the European Championship Qualification. Expected to line up their best IX today in Enschede, a win today is a very likely option for the Red Fury.
Having failed to qualify for Qatar 2022, Italy have impressed with their performances as they hope to return to their very best. With three wins in their last five matches, Italy have a lot to prove in today’s match as they hope to make a statement with their performance today. Finishing top of the group ahead of Germany, England and Hungary, en route to today’s semi finals, the Italians should be confident of a win today as they hope to win their second continental trophy in as many years.
Head-to-Head
The last five matches between Spain and Italy has seen two wins for each side and a draw. Their last meeting was back in the semifinals of this competition in 2021 when the Spaniards won 2-1 at the San Siro. Ferran Torres scored a first half brace with Lorenzo Pellegrini scoring the consolation in the 83rd minute.
Prediction
Spain are a team in rebuild despite their squad full of talented and experienced players. Manager De Le Fuente is yet to prove how good a coach he is, as today’s match presents the first real test since his appointment. Italy on the other hand have a good team capable of going head-to-head against the very best on the continent. A closely contested game should be expected in the Netherlands today with a narrow win for Spain the most likely outcome.
Live stream: Link 1, Link 2
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