England and Italy meet again two years after an enthralling continental final for a key Euro 2024 qualifier at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Gareth Southgate can all but seal their place at next summer’s European Championships if England win.
Southgate will make changes to his team that lost 4-0 against Malta, with Bukayo Saka out due to a hamstring injury. Now don’t get late chechout the England National Football Team Vs Italy National Football Team Lineups;
Team Lineups
On Thursday, many Euro 2024 qualifying teams kick off their qualifying phase campaign and one of the first big matches between defending champion Italy and England will take place at Napoli’s Stadio Diego Armando Maradona stadium, home of Napoli.
Gareth Southgate will select a team from his full squad and opt for his strongest eleven that featured against Australia at Wembley Stadium, featuring Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips alongside Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice in midfield, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish up front, among others.
Kyle Walker will start at left-back ahead of Ben Chilwell, while Kieran Trippier replaces Marc Guerhi who was injured earlier. Luke Shaw and Gary Cahill will both remain on the bench as Southgate seeks to ensure his defensive players have sufficient rest before undertaking what will likely be an arduous campaign.
England national football team
The England national football team represents England internationally in association football under UEFA auspices. Managed by the English FA, the team participates in both UEFA European Championship and Nations League competitions and one of only eight nations ever to have won FIFA World Cup (1966). England have qualified sixteen times since.
The England team, commonly referred to as Three Lions or England National Team, boasts an illustrious heritage dating back to its establishment in 1872. Since then it has amassed the most caps of any national side; notable players who have held this mantle include Bobby Charlton, George Best, Peter Shilton and Geoff Hurst among many others.
Lee Carsley is confident he has the support of the FA as he attempts to secure permanent appointment as interim coach during Tuesday’s UEFA Nations League clash against Finland at Wembley Stadium – read Mail Sport’s live blog of this fixture for all of the action!
Italy national football team
Italy national football team has long been recognized as an exceptional international side. Over its long history, Italy has won two World Cups and three European Championships as well as qualifying for four FIFA World Cup editions since 1982.
Italy are looking to build on their Nations League third place finish and challenge for top two in order to qualify for the 2024 FIFA World Cup finals. They are missing several players such as Wesley Fofana, Ferland Mendy and Aurelien Tchaoumeni; Liverpool’s Ibrahim Konate will step in their place.
Nicolo Barella will return after serving his 10-month ban for violating betting rules, joining Davide Frattesi and Samuele Ricci from Torino as Spalletti’s new-look midfield. Alessandro Bastoni should recover from a knock in time to join them as defence. However, Roma defender Federico Chiesa remains doubtful due to injury while Atalanta duo Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini will both miss out.
Fixtures and Dates
Since 2012, England and Italy have met nine times, recording four wins, five draws, and two losses in a total of nine contests. Both nations are likely to aim for top four finishes in this year’s Nations League tournament.
Both teams have suffered injuries. Italy are without Federico Chiesa and Ciro Immobile for this match; Ivan Provedel and Giacomo Raspadori have also withdrawn. Additionally, several uncapped players such as Cremonese goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi from Cremonese, Lecce defender Wladimiro Falcone from Lecce, Torino’s Alessandro Buongiorno as well as Mateo Retegui from Argentina are among those listed as part of Italy’s squad for this matchup.
Gareth Southgate boasts a formidable squad, missing only Jordan Pickford and Kalvin Phillips from selection. Kobbie Mainoo will partner Declan Rice in midfield – although that decision could rile fans who supported him previously when playing for Ireland. Levi Colwill from Chelsea’s versatile defence unit will partner Maguire at centre back, while Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka will provide support for Kane as the sole striker.
Starting Lineups
Both former Euro champions will meet in an exciting group game which has plenty of weight for 2024 qualifying campaign, hoping to kickstart it on a positive note. Gareth Southgate’s side gave an admirable display at the World Cup and are hoping to build upon their Nations League results while Italy look to return to international football’s pinnacle after suffering playoff heartache against North Macedonia.
Jack Grealish was notable as being left off Gareth Southgate’s final squad for Poland and Ukraine finals, yet makes his senior debut alongside Declan Rice and Manchester United team-mate Harry Maguire, while Chiedozie Ogbene from Ipswich Town also appears.
Domenico Tedesco will be without several of his star players for Italy manager Domenico Tedesco’s forthcoming tournament against Italy: Romelu Lukaku is taking time off due to being fully fit for his new club Everton; Thibaut Courtois remains unavailable due to an injury issue.
Also Read; England National Football Team Vs Australia National Football Team Lineups
Final words
Gareth Southgate and England will face Luciano Spalletti and Italy for a pivotal Euro 2024 qualifier next Sunday, two years on from their incredible continental final. Already three points have been earned against Ukraine in their opening fixture – victory would likely ensure progress into further qualifying rounds for England.
Southgate will have plenty of attacking options available to him even without injured Arsenal players Bukayo Saka and Jordan Foden available to him, such as John Stones who missed most of Manchester City’s heavyweight matches this season due to injury. He may look forward to getting Stones involved. The Azzurri will look to make an impressive start in their World Cup qualifier against England at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as they try to rebound from their heartbreaking playoff loss to North Macedonia last time out, however an injury-hit Italy attack may struggle to replicate what they demonstrated against Malta last month.
