Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Spain
Match Time & Date:
15/06/2023
11:45 AM
Prediction: 1-1
Italy
De Grolsch Veste will host the UEFA Nations League semi-final between two European giants Spain and Italy. La Roja aim to recover from a shocking Euro 2024 loss to Scotland, but they will have a big fish to fry in Thursday’s encounter. New boss Luis de la Fuente can’t count on injured trio Pedri – Balde – Robert Sanchez, while all Jesus Navas, Jordi Alba, Juan Bernat, Fabian Ruiz, Sergio Canales, and Rodrigo Moreno return to the squad.
Atletico Madrid centre-forward Alvaro Morata is widely expected to lead the line for the nominal hosts. The Azzurri, meanwhile, quickly bounced back from a 2-1 loss to England, with the team beating Malta 2-0 in their second Euro 2024 qualifier. Anyhow, Spain and Italy seem to be evenly matched at the moment and we are going to put our money on draw. As for the away team, both Matteo Pessina and Domenico Berardi miss out with injuries, while all Florenzi, Buongiorno, Zaccagni, Gatti, and Locatelli have been omitted.
Highlighted Player (Marco Verratti):
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti is the creative force of the French champions and a world-class professional even though he is only 23. Deemed one of the most talented Italian players of the new generation, Marco Verratti began his career in Pescara, his home town club, from which he was directly transferred to PSG much to surprise of the general football community.
Technically gifted playmaker was snapped by Les Parisiens in 2012 in front of Napoli, Roma and Juventus in a five-year deal worth €12 million. Marco Verratti has since gone to become a key member for the French champions already surpassing the 100-game mark for PSG.
The 23-year-old playmaker is a player of great vision and awareness, very calm and composed on the ball. His passing skills are impressive often compared to Italian legend Andrea Pirlo’s. Despite his diminutive figure Marco Verratti is not afraid to get in duels and participate in defence duties which make him an all-rounder and great influence in every segment of the play.
Highlighted Team (Spain):
Historically, Spain have been regarded as one of top sides on international stage, but they often struggled to live up to the billing. After reaching the semi-finals at the 1950 World Cup, La Furia Roja won the European Championship trophy on home soil in 1964, but little did they know that it would remain their only trophy for another 44 years.
Following some disappointing showings, Spain finally returned to the biggest stage under Vicente Del Bosque, winning three straight trophies between 2008 and 2012, before crashing out in the group stage at the 2014 World Cup. La Furia Roja enjoyed plenty of success with their tiki-taka style of play, originally designed by Barcelona, with Vicente Del Bosque’s side packed with technically skilled players such as Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and David Silva.
Strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa also had a major role to play in those successes, but when it comes to their famous predecessors, the likes of Alfredo Di Stefano, Michel, Emilio Butrageno, Raul Gonzalez, Fernando Morientes and Fernando Hierro should not be forgotten.
Leicester
Chelsea
Arsenal
Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa
Crystal Palace 
Milan 
Juventus 
Man City
Tottenham
Celta Vigo 
Barcelona 
