Preview: Italy vs Wales
Italy vs
Wales
In a UEFA Euro 2020 Group A clash at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, an unbeaten Italy look to solidify their dominance against a spirited Wales side aiming to secure their place in the knockout stage.
Italy
Unbeaten in six games across all competitions with a series of wins, Italy secured another comfortable 3-0 victory over Switzerland on Wednesday, the 16th. The Azzurri were in excellent form, dominating the match and demonstrating their superiority with a clear three-goal margin.
Chiellini appeared to give Italy the lead, but VAR intervened and ruled out his goal due to a handball. Unfortunately, he had to be replaced by Acerbi after picking up an injury shortly afterward.
Italy's first legitimate goal came from Locatelli, who tapped in Nicolo Barella’s well-crafted cut back despite heavy pressure. Locatelli then earned man-of-the-match honors with a stunning 20-yard strike that doubled Italy's advantage.
Immobile sealed the victory with a long-range effort in the 89th minute, placing the result beyond doubt. The Italians finished Match Day 2 with six goals and two clean sheets, and Roberto Mancini is unlikely to change his attacking 4-3-3 formation for the next game.
With Italy having qualified for the knockout stage, Belloti might be given a chance to start over Immobile in the center-forward position. Berardi and Insigne are expected to maintain their positions in the attack. Italy holds 6 points and a goal difference of +6, sitting at the top of Group A after two wins.
Wales
Wales picked up a 2-0 win over Turkey on Wednesday, the 16th, when both countries met on Match Day 2 in Baku. Aaron Ramsey nearly sent Leicester City’s Çağlar Söyüncü sliding into the stands with a dummy, but Ramsey's shot was saved by the legs of Cakir in goal. Three minutes before half-time (42'), the Juventus midfielder broke the deadlock.
Gareth Bale floated a perfectly weighted ball over nine red shirts, bypassing three defensive lines to pick out Aaron Ramsey, who made a penetrating run into the six-yard box. Turkey had a few chances, but Burak Yilmaz failed to hit the target multiple times. Later, Gareth Bale provided his second assist, this time for Connor Roberts (90’) in the final moments of the game.
The victory leaves Wales with a form that reads: WWLDDW, collecting 4 points, with a goal difference of +2. They are within touching distance of the last 16 after 1 win, 1 draw, and 0 losses. Rob Page will be looking for three more points on Sunday, but a draw might be the objective, hoping for a favorable outcome in the fixture between Switzerland and Turkey.
An attacking 4-2-3-1 formation is expected once again from Wales on Match Day 3.
