Our prediction for this Euro 2020 match:
Italy will be aiming to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Austria at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. The Italians impressed in the group stages, with the team beating all Turkey, Switzerland and Wales, but this time out they will not be playing in front of home fans. Anyhow, the Azzurri are seen as favourites to win the last 16 clash due to their excellent displays in Group A. Both Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro Florenzi are rated doubtful for the game.
The Austrians, on the other hand, booked their place in the playoffs thanks to wins over Ukraine and North Macedonia. Baumgartlinger, who suffered an injury in the last group game, is out of contention for the nominal visitors, while all Hinteregger, Baugartner, and Lazaro are major doubts. Anyhow, Italy are more of a team than Austria, and we predict that Roberto Mancini’s troops will prove their worth on the field.
Highlighted Player (Lorenzo Insigne):
Born in Frattamaggiore, Naples on June 4, 1991, Lorenzo Insigne is an Italian footballer who plays for his hometown club Napoli in the Serie A. Insigne is a product of Olimpia Sant’Arpino football school, but he joined the Partenopei at the age of 15.
The diminutive attacker scored his first ever goal in the Italian top flight on September 16, 2012 in a 3-1 win over Parma. Insigne, who played for the likes of Cavese, Foggia and Pescara on loan before returning to Naples, made his debut with the Italian national team on September 11, 2012 in the World Cup qualifier against Malta.
The Napoli forward scored his first ever goal for the Azzurri in a friendly against Argentina on August 14, 2013. His main position is left winger, but he is used as a second striker as well. Lorenzo Insigne has a contract with Napoli until June 30, 2022.
Highlighted Team (Austria):
Austria is one of Europe’s oldest national football teams and they enjoyed plenty of success during the 1930’s, earning the nickname Wunderteam in the process. Das Team achieved a fourth-place finish at the second World Cup in 1934, before finishing in third place at the 1954 finals. However, Austria have since participated at another five World Cup finals, never getting past the first knockout stage.
Das Team were even more disappointing in the European Championship qualifying campaigns, failing to qualify for 12 straight tournaments before appearing at the 2008 finals as co-hosts. However, Austria made it to the Euro 2016 in style, winning nine of ten qualifiers to suggest the team may be on the path to return to old glory days.
Former Bayern Munich midfielder Andreas Herzog is the team’s most capped footballer with 103 appearances, whereas Toni Polster is the most prolific striker with 44 goals in 95 outings. Matthias Sinderlar, Ernst Ocwirk, Herbert Prohaska and Hans Krankl are some of the most notable players to have represented Austria over the years.