Italy vs England is slowly but surely becoming a fixture on the international football scene. Today (8.45 p.m., PULS 24) both teams meet in Milan’s Meazza Stadium for the third time in just over ten months. On 11 July 2021, the Squadra Azzurra had won the memorable EURO final against Britain on penalties at Wembley and on 11 June 2022 there was a lackluster zero at Wolverhampton.
Now the Nations League return match is on the program, the English cannot afford to lose, because otherwise relegation to League B could hardly be avoided. Both head coaches are under pressure. Italy’s Roberto Mancini has gambled away the bonus points collected before and during the glorious EURO, the sting of failing to qualify for the World Cup runs deep. Gareth Southgate was also more firmly in the saddle with the “Three Lions”. Above all, the Brits don’t like the way his team performs – measured by the high quality of the squad. England have not won their last four internationals, scoring just one goal – Harry Kane’s penalty in a 1-1 draw with Germany in Munich. The 4-0 loss to Hungary in June sealed their heaviest home defeat since 1928.
“It’s very, very painful,” admitted Southgate. “It’s a sobering experience. We have to learn our lessons and pick up speed again.” One thing is clear: If England fails at the World Cup in Qatar in November/December, the coach will be unstoppable.
Four-time World Cup champions Italy are also looking to make amends. The 2:5 debacle in Mönchengladbach – after 69 minutes it was 0:5 against Germany – left its mark. “There’s no excuse for that, we have to be different,” said goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Final tournament as a goal
Germany’s team has its sights set on participating in the final tournament of the Nations League for the first time. With a home win over leaders Hungary today (8.45 p.m., ZDF) in Leipzig and a win three days later in London against England, that works. However, the Bayern stars Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka (positive corona tests) are missing.
Source: Nachrichten
