Belgium
Italy
Italy
Tie of the round sees World Number 1 Belgium take on sparkling Italy
Italy to win 2-1
Belgium narrowly won against reigning champions Portugal in the Round of 16 match, using a large slice of luck towards the end as they clung on to a 1-0 victory.
In the end, a Thorgan Hazard strike from long distance was enough to separate the sides, but the Belgians came away from the game worrying on the fitness of two of their top class stars, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, who may not be fully fit here.
Belgium are on a terrific winning streak right now, but can it continue here?
Italy emerged at the standout nation from the group stage, winning all three matches without conceding a goal, although came up against stiff opposition in an Austrian side who took them all the way to extra time.
Italy came out on top in the 30 added minutes, scoring twice, and will feel good about themselves coming into a high pressure game.
World Ranking: 1
Best Historical Finish at the Euros: Runners-up, 1980
Reasons to be cheerful:
Have won each of their last 14 games in all competitions
Always manage to score which will give them a huge chance
Reasons to be fearful:
Have just four wins from their 22 meetings with Italy
De Bruyne and Eden Hazard may not be fit enough to start
The world’s top ranked nation know that they must take advantage of this ‘golden generation’ of talent at their disposal right now, and have a great chance of going all the way this summer with the players they have.
They are on a 14 game winning streak, while they have scored in each of their last 34 games in all competitions.
The big news coming out of their win over Portugal is that Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard limped off before the end, casting doubt over their availability from the start here. They are both world class players and would be severely missed.
Can they secure only their fifth victory in 23 meetings with the Italians?
Star Man – Romelu Lukaku
Was described by Italian midfielder Pessina this week as the best striker in the world, although he needs to start delivering in the biggest of occasions.
World Ranking: 7
Best Historical Finish at the Euros: Winners, 1968
Reasons to be cheerful:
Have won all four games, conceding just once
Could have Giorgio Chiellini back from injury
Reasons to be fearful:
Tough route to the final
Belgium will be their toughest opponents so far
Italy finally conceded a goal at this tournament, and their first in 11 games, against Austria in their Round of 16 game.
Although Italy were winning 2-0 at that point, it will have come as a surprise to many just how tough it appeared to break the Austrian’s down.
One of Roberto Mancini’s toughest decisions will be who to start against Belgium, with the exciting Federico Chiesa impressing when he came on as a substitute, as well as who plays alongside Marco Verratti in midfield.
Italy have a tough route to the final, needing to beat the number one ranked side Belgium, followed potentially by a high-scoring Spain.
Win here, however, and they could be favourites to win the tournament.
Star Man – Ciro Immobile
The Italy centre forward struggled to make his mark on the game against Austria, but will want to get back on the goal hunt here.
Possession to be shared evenly
Italy can have some joy down the wide areas
Belgium will be underdogs without De Bruyne and Hazard
You wonder just how much the absence of De Bruyne and Hazard will have on Belgium, who rely so much on their creativity to get forward and score goals.
If they don’t start here, you would assume that Italy are the favourites. We’ve seen time and again just how dangerous they are from the wide areas, and Belgium will need to pay attention to that to stop them.
Italy to win 2-1
