Italy host fellow strugglers England on Matchday 5 of the UEFA Nations League 2022-23 League A at the San Siro. The match is scheduled to start at 12:15 AM IST on Saturday, September 24.
Italy have played four games so far in the UEFA Nations League this season, winning just one and drawing two. Overall, Roberto Mancini’s side have won just four games out of the last 14 in all competitions, a stark contrast to the form they displayed during their recent 37-game unbeaten run.
The Azzurri are third in League A Group 3 with five points from four matches. Just two points off the top-placed team Hungary, Italy still have a realistic chance of making it to the knockout stage but will need to pick up points well in their remaining two group fixtures.
The Italian football team, the Euro 2020 champions, failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar and will be eager to make the playoffs in the Nations League as some form of redemption.
England have also endured a poor campaign so far in the UEFA Nations League 2022-23. The Three Lions’ attack, considered among the best in the world, has looked lackluster recently, managing just one goal in four games.
With just two points from the four games played, Harry Kane and Co. are languishing in fourth place of their group and are in danger of being relegated to League B for the 2023-24 season if they cannot climb up from the bottom place after their remaining two group games.
Anything but a victory vs Italy on Saturday will essentially seal their drop to League B for next season.
While their chances of making it past the group stage look unlikely, Gareth Southgate’s men will be eager to finish their UEFA Nations League 2022-23 campaign on a high in order to end their poor form heading into the Qatar FIFA World Cup, which starts from November this year.
Italy vs England head-to-head record
Italy have a dominant head-to-head record against England across competitions, winning 12 of the 29 meetings between the two sides. England emerged victorious eight times while nine matches ended in a stalemate.
The highlight clash in the recent past was the Euro 2020 final, which ended 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes before Italy won 3-2 on penalties.
Italy vs England predicted XIs
Italy (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Bastoni, Leonardo Bonucci, Emerson; Nico Barella, Sandro Tonali, Jorginho; Wilfried Gnonto, Ciro Immobile, Vincenzo Grifo
England (3-4-3): Aaron Ramsdale; John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Harry Maguire; Reece James, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Ben Chilwell; Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Phil Foden
Where to watch Italy vs England UEFA Nations League 2022-23 match live in India?
The Italy vs England UEFA Nations League 2022-23 match will be telecast live across Sony TEN 2 and Sony TEN 2 HD TV channels in India.
Live streaming of the Italy vs England UEFA Nations League 2022-23 match in India will be available on SonyLIV and JioTV.
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Featured photo: Laurence Griffiths / POOL / AFP
