Our prediction for this Nations League match:
All eyes will be on Stadio Giuseppe Meazza when Italy and England face each other in a highly-anticipated Nations League game. The Azzurri aim to bounce back from a heavy 5-2 loss to Germany, with the team eyeing their second win of the process. Roberto Mancini has named a very experienced squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, with all Leonardo Bonucci, Ciro Immobile, Marco Veratti, and Jorginho making the cut, while Ivan Provedel, Guglielmo Vicario, and Pasquale Mazzocchi are the new faces in Mancini’s team.
The Three Lions, on the other hand, aim to make amends for an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Hungary. Since both sides will go for a win in Friday’s showdown, we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score. In-form Brentford attacker Ivan Toney has received his first England call-up, with Tottenham defender Eric Dier making his return to the squad. Marcus Rashford misses out with injury, while the opposition back-line should have Harry Kane at bay as the Spurs striker has been scoring goals for fun of late.
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 (England):
One of two oldest national football teams besides Scotland, England have been playing international matches since 1872, but the World Cup title won on home soil in 1966 remain their only major trophy up to date. The Three Lions narrowly missed out on the 1990 World Cup final, losing to Germany on penalties, while they were stopped in quarter-finals on no fewer than five occasions.
England twice reached the European Championship semi-finals, in 1968 and 1996, but they have been pretty disappointing at the start of the 21st century, despite boasting arguably the strongest league competition in the world. Sir Bobby Charlton, Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Moore were among players who secured the first major international title, whereas Gary Lineker, David Beckham, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney all played an important role during the modern age.
Peter Shilton is the record holder with 125 caps for the national team, while Wayne Rooney surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton as the leading goalscorer in the England national team.