For all the differences in style and approach, there is a remarkable symmetry to the journeys taken by England and Italy towards Sunday’s Euro 2020 final. Still, players in the squad who experienced the bitterness of failure and its fall-out know where they have come from. Like Southgate, Mancini turned to youth, but his biggest impact has been on the style of football produced by the Azzurri. The past record certainly favours Italy, who have never lost against England in four meetings at a major tournament and have been defeated once in eight competitive games with England. There may be little to choose between the two starting lineups but England have stronger options from the bench as Chiellini noted.

Source: Indian Express July 09, 2021 12:00 UTC