Euro 2020 Final Preview: Tactical Breakdown of Italy vs England
The Euro 2020 journey has reached its climax with Italy and England set for a highly anticipated showdown in the final. Both teams arrive unbeaten, having navigated a tournament filled with upsets—knocking out previous champions such as France, Germany, and Portugal. As excitement builds, this in-depth tactical analysis explores the formations, strengths, and potential weaknesses of both nations as they prepare for their decisive battle.
Italy’s Flexible 4-3-3 Formation: Structure and Adjustments
Italy have consistently lined up in a 4-3-3 shape throughout the tournament, a formation that offers tactical versatility and dynamic movement across the pitch. However, the injury to influential wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola presents a significant tactical challenge. Spinazzola’s work-rate and attacking impetus from the left flank have been crucial, and while Emerson is set to deputize, he does not replicate Spinazzola’s ability to drive play or create numerical overloads.
In attack, selection decisions remain for Roberto Mancini on the right wing. Federico Chiesa’s directness and commitment off the ball provide a goal threat and pressing intensity, whereas Domenico Berardi offers more composure in possession and creativity. The rest of the lineup appears settled, with the midfield trio of Barella, Jorginho, and Verratti forming a cohesive engine room, and Immobile and Insigne expected to lead the front-line.
Italy’s Defensive Tactics: Key Challenges Against England
Italy’s defensive focus will revolve around managing England’s forwards who excel at moving off the ball and dropping deep to link play. This was an issue against Spain in the semi-final, where Italy struggled to follow advanced midfield runs and lost defensive shape when pressed high up the field.
Harry Kane, operating as a deep-lying striker, poses a similar threat by coming short to receive the ball, a tactic that unlocked Denmark in the previous round. Mason Mount’s constant movement across the lines requires precise communication and awareness, particularly from Barella and Jorginho, to prevent England from finding pockets of space.
Italy would be wise to avoid a high press against England’s patient buildup. The Three Lions excel at retaining possession at the back, so overcommitting could leave gaps for Mount or other forward runners to exploit. By maintaining a compact midfield and avoiding risky pressing triggers that proved costly against Spain, Italy can limit England’s vertical progression.
Italy’s Offensive Approach: Breaking Down England’s Defence
Italy’s brand of swift, high-tempo football has tested even the most organized defences, yet England provide a unique challenge. With only one goal conceded throughout the tournament—via a direct free-kick—England’s defensive record is formidable.
To disrupt England’s shape, Italy may look to play long diagonal balls or through passes, aiming to exploit the space between the England centre-backs and full-backs. The pace of Immobile, Chiesa, and Insigne will be vital, but breaking into space will not be straightforward against defenders like Walker and Shaw, known for their recovery speed, and centre-backs Maguire and Stones, who dominate aerial duels.
The most promising gaps may emerge between Maguire and Shaw. Well-timed passes from deep, particularly from Di Lorenzo on the right, could find runners in behind the defence, but these balls must have the right trajectory to bypass England’s aerial strength.
England’s Tactical Blueprint: Shape, Selection, and Versatility
Gareth Southgate has largely utilized a 4-3-3 formation, but England’s system frequently morphs into a 4-2-3-1 during play. Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips operate closely as dual midfield anchors, offering robust defensive cover, while Mason Mount pushes higher, often assuming responsibility for pressing and linking attacks.
Wide options on the right—Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho—offer contrasting qualities. Foden’s creativity and technical skill may be favoured for unlocking Italy’s disciplined back line. Saka’s directness provides attacking thrust, while Sancho’s flair could expose defensive lapses. Southgate also has the flexibility to switch to a back three with Kieran Trippier as wing-back, providing additional width and allowing Mount further attacking freedom.
England’s Defensive Structure: How They Match Up Against Italy
England are equipped to shut down the opposition’s key creative outlets. With Spinazzola absent, Southgate may focus on controlling Italy’s remaining flanks, especially Emerson’s surges down the left. The disciplined midfield pairing of Phillips and Rice will focus on disrupting Italy’s midfield orchestrators, Barella and Verratti, limiting their ability to progress the ball.
Luke Shaw’s pace will be critical in containing potential threats from Chiesa or Berardi, while Mount is familiar with Jorginho’s passing range from their time together at Chelsea. England’s full-backs remain compact, while central defenders Maguire and Stones are set to command the penalty area. Italy’s set-piece prowess could pose a threat, but England have the stature and organization to counter aerial danger from Bonucci and Chiellini.
England’s Attack: Threats and Opportunities
England possess an attacking trio rich in speed, power, and tactical versatility. Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount, in particular, offer a movement and dynamism Italy have not faced elsewhere in the tournament, while Kane excels at creating chances both as a target and as a playmaker by dropping between the lines to receive the ball.
Italy struggled to contain Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, and Sterling provides a similar challenge on the left. Shaw’s tendency to overlap or underlap will stretch Italy’s right-side defense, while Mount’s rotations and interchanging can unsettle the Italian midfield. Phillips’s capability to play incisive passes over the top adds another dimension, potentially catching Italy off-guard if full-backs push too high.
The tactical key for England will be to isolate spaces behind Italian full-backs and exploit transitions when Italy commit men forward. If Emerson is caught in advanced positions, England’s right winger could find substantial space to attack, while a disciplined, low defensive block from Italy could frustrate these plans.
Conclusion: A Battle of Systems and Strategy
The Euro 2020 final between Italy and England promises a chess match of tactical acumen and in-game adjustments. Both teams have demonstrated consistency, organization, and resilience, remaining unbeaten as they reach the tournament’s summit. Ultimately, the winner will be determined not just by individual moments of brilliance, but by how effectively each manager and squad adapt to the unfolding tactical landscape over 90 minutes—and possibly beyond.
This final, showcasing two contrasting yet highly effective styles, will be a fitting conclusion to one of the most thrilling European Championships in history.
