Our prediction for this match:
Venezuela
Match Time & Date:
21/03/2024
05:00 PM
Prediction: 0-1
Italy
Italy and Venezuela take on each other at Chase Stadium (neutral location) as the Azzurri kickstart their preparations for the EURO 2024 finals. Luciano Spalletti’s men secured their spot at the showpiece tournament in Germany thanks to a goalless draw with Ukraine, but they are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in Thursday’s friendly. Lazio striker Ciro Immobile has been left out of the squad, but all Chiesa, Zaniolo, and Barella made the cut.
La Vinotinto, on the other hand, have been producing fine displays in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with the team occupying fourth place in the standings. The South American outfit are likely to rely on their rock-solid defence in Thursday’s clash, but preventing Italy attackers from finding the net is easier said than done. A man to keep an eye on in Fernando Batista’s team will be veteran Salomon Rondon, who has netted 41 goals in 102 appearances for the Venezuela national team.
Highlighted Player (Jose Salomon Rondon):
Over the years Jose Solomon Rondon has established himself as one of the best South American attackers. The Venezuelan striker was born in Caracas on September 16, 1989 and he played for San Jose de Calasanz at the start of his youth career. He played for the youth teams of Deportivo Guilima and Aragua as well and he continued playing for Aragua at senior level.
After scoring 15 goals in 15 appearances for the club, Salomon Rondon moved to Spain in 2008, signing a deal with La liga side Las Palmas and two years later he moved to fellow Spanish outfit Malaga. The left-footed forward scored 25 goals in 67 appearances in La Liga for los Boquerones, but in the summer of 2012 he moved to Russian club Rubin Kazan.
Despite failing to impress in 36 appearances for the Tatars, Zenit chiefs decided to bring Rondon to Sankt Petersburg in 2014 and it has to be noted that the Venezuela international scored 20 goals in 37 appearances in the Russian Premier League for the Zenitchiki. Salomon Rondon, who made his Venezuela debut in February 2008 against Haiti, currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.
Highlighted Team (Italy):
With four World Cup titles and one European Championship trophy, Italy remain one of world’s most successful teams and they have also finished as runners up at major tournaments on four occasions. The Azzurri have become famous for their result oriented football over the years which is perfectly suited for World Cup and Euro finals, so it is now a surprise when they fail to reach the final stages.
After winning the second and third edition of the World Cup, Italy endured a difficult period until lifting their first European Championship title in 1968, while they also managed to show some improvement at the turn of the century. While winning the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Azzurri reached Euro finals in 2000 and 2012, and they are still regarded as one of the leading sides in Europe.
There have been too many high-profile players leaving their mark on the national team to count, but the likes of Paolo Maldini, Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Dino Zoff, Roberto Baggio, Luigi Riva and Alessandro Del Piero will go down as some of the most successful ones.
Bayern Munich
Augsburg 
Leicester
Chelsea
Arsenal
Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa
Crystal Palace 
Milan 
Juventus 
Man City
Tottenham
