Spain take on Italy in the round 2 match of UEFA Euro-2024 group stage. The match will be played on Thursday, June 20th at Veltins Arena (Gelsenkirchen).
The rejuvenated "La Furia Roja" (The Red Fury) impressively breezed through the Euro 2024 qualifying cycle. They secured seven victories in eight matches, confidently taking first place in their group, scoring a total of 25 goals, and netting in seven of the eight qualification matches. Before heading to Germany, the Spaniards sharpened their attacking skills with a 5-0 win over Andorra and a 5-1 victory against Northern Ireland, as well as an exciting 3-3 draw with Brazil in a high-scoring friendly. In their first match at the Euro, Spain also scored three goals, thrashing Croatia before halftime. They created numerous chances and, most importantly, converted almost all of them. Were the Spaniards perfect in defense? No. The Croats actually outperformed them in terms of xG: 2.27 - 2.11. It was just that everything went in for "La Furia Roja," while nothing did for the "Checkereds." Additionally, Simón saved a penalty late in the game. The point I'm making is that Spain can definitely score against the Italians, and quite a few. However, they are also capable of conceding, possibly more than once.
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The players of the "Azzurri" seemed to be so uncomfortable with their status as clear favorites in the match against Albania that they gifted a goal to their opponent right from a throw-in in the first minute. They eventually recovered more than confidently, took the lead, and then ... relaxed. No, Spalletti's team maintained control, created chances, and achieved an xG of 1.67 with 16 shots on goal. Yet, it was clear that the team was not playing at its full potential. The Spaniards won't give the Italians any breathing room, making the contest all the more intriguing and potentially rich in goals (for both sides). I think the nominal guests will find their moment to score a goal. But they will also help their opponent to score if needed. Just kidding, the Spaniards with their finishing are perfectly capable of handling that themselves.
Italy vs. Spain is the headline match of the second round of the Euro group stage (if not the entire group stage). The reigning European champions face the last Nations League winners. Bookmakers consider "La Furia Roja" to be the favorites, but I won't get involved in predicting the outcome. I'm much more interested in the "Both Teams to Score" bet. In the Euro 2020 semifinal, the regulation time of the match between these two teams ended in a 1-1 draw. They met again twice in the Nations League semifinals (in 2021 and 2023), with Spain coming out on top both times, and both matches featuring over 2.5 goals (2-1 and 2-1). In the first round of the current Euro group stage, both "La Furia Roja" and the "Azzurri" looked strong in attack. We have every reason to expect that in their head-to-head match, Spain and Italy will at least score once each. My prediction is: Both Teams to Score.
Prediction for the match: Both teams to score.
