After Italy and Spain have played the EURO 2012 senior final last year, the two nations will face each other also in the final of the European Under-21 Championship in Israel on Tuesday evening. Spain - unbeaten in 25 competitive matches - go into the final seeking to emulate the senior team's feat of back-to-back European titles. Find here our Italy v Spain predictions, betting preview, tips, odds, lineups, free bets & promotions!
ITALY U21 v SPAIN U21: MATCH PREVIEW
As we predicted here, Italy won Group A (@ 2.25), Spain won Group B (@ 2.25), and both teams arrived to the final (@ 10.00).
Italy won a close fought Semi Final against the Netherlands. The Dutch were actually the dominating team in this semi-final, hit the post and missed several chances, but then it was striker Fabio Borini (Liverpool) who scored the 1:0 winner for the 'Azzurrini' eleven minutes before the end. Italy had beaten England 1:0 in the first game of the tournament, also defeated host Israel 4:0 and drew with Norway 1:1 in the last group match.
Lorenzo Insigne has recovered fully from the ankle injury that forced him off against Israel on matchday two. The SSC Napoli midfielder played 85 minutes of the semi-final win against the Netherlands. Gabbiadini could replace Immobile as central forward, while Saponara are fighting for a spot among the offensive midfielders.
Spain ran over Norway and won fully deserved 3-0. The only point of criticism was their conversion of chances, as they had missed several great opportunities in the first half. They beat Russia 1-0 in their opening match of the tournament before going on to beat a well fancied German side by the same scoreline thanks to a Morata winner. Morata continued his record of scoring in every game of the tournament with the opener against Holland on the way to a 3-0 victory.
Meanwhile for Spain, their single alteration is likely to see Alvaro Morata, the competition's top scorer with four strikes to his name in Israel, return to the XI at the expense of the goal-shy Rodrigo. With no fresh injury worries to report, Spain will be at full strength for the final.
Italy have conceded just one goal in the whole tournament while Spain haven’t conceded any. Italy They scored in every game at Euro 2013, with six different players getting their name on the scoresheet.
ITALY U21 v SPAIN U21: PROBABLE LINEUPS
Italy (4-2-3-1): Bardi; Donati, Bianchetti, Caldirola, Regini; Verratti, Florenzi; Saponara, Insigne, Borini; Gabbiadini
Spain (4-3-3): De Gea; Montoya, Bartra, Martinez, Moreno; Illarramendi, Koke, Thiago Alcantara; Isco, Morata, Tell
ITALY U21 v SPAIN U21: TEAM FORM
Italy Under 21
Jun 15, 2013 Italy Under 21 1 - Netherlands Under 21 0 EU21
Jun 11, 2013 Norway Under 21 1 - Italy Under 21 1 EU21
Jun 8, 2013 Italy Under 21 4 - Israel Under 21 0 EU21
Jun 5, 2013 England Under 21 0 - Italy Under 21 1 EU21
Nov 13, 2012 Italy Under 21 1 - Spain Under 21 3 FR
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