'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Spain’s list of absentees to make life difficult for Luis Enrique
Spain have not taken the UEFA Nations League lightly. Picking up 11 points from six fixtures, La Roja have topped League A Group 4, forcing Germany to crash out. Unfortunately, in the UEFA Nations League semi-final against European Champions Italy, they will be missing some of their key players.
Trending
Euro 2020 sensation Pedri, midfielder Dani Olmo, left-back Jordi Alba, and striker Alvaro Morata are all missing out. Marcos Llorente, who was in the squad before picking up an injury in La Liga, is also set to miss the UEFA Nations League semi-final clash against Italy.
Luis Enrique is usually spot on with his rotations and Spain’s deep bench should give him some encouragement. However, fielding a makeshift XI against an in-form Italian team might turn out to be disastrous.
#2 In-form Moise Kean to lead the Italian front line
Italy sharpshooter Ciro Immobile is an invaluable member of his team. He holds up the ball exceptionally well, knows how to shoot from long range, and is inconspicuously cunning inside the box. Sadly, the Lazio striker will play no part in Italy’s upcoming UEFA Nations League semi-final against Spain.
The forward is currently nursing a thigh injury and will also miss the final if Italy manage to progress. In his place, Roberto Mancini could bring in Moise Kean and add a new dimension to Italy’s game.
As a matter of fact, Kean netted a brace in Italy’s most recent match against Lithuania and will look to extend his scoring streak. The directness in Kean’s attack is refreshing and Spain could have a hard time subduing him.
#1 Italy to book their place in the UEFA Nations League final
The UEFA Nations League was born to give us engaging European fixtures during the international break. On Wednesday, we are getting one of the best matches in world football right now, and it ought to be a stunner.
In their last meeting, in the semi-final of Euro 2020, Italy beat Spain on penalties. In the Nations League, they might not even need to go that far. Spain’s considerable list of absentees and out-of-form stars should encourage Italy to be more adventurous, and we fully expect them to capitalize.
Italy have not tasted defeat in 37 international fixtures, and if all goes to plan, they might be able to book their 38th on Wednesday.
