THE last two one hundred per cent records at Euro 2020 are set to be put on the line as Belgium face Italy.
The Belgians powered through Group B as they beat Denmark, Russia and Finland, before clinging onto a 1-0 win against Portugal in the last 16.
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Italy meanwhile triumphed over Turkey, Switzerland and Wales before knocking out Austria in extra time.
What time does Belgium vs Italy kick off?
- Belgium take on Italy on Friday, July 2.
- The match kicks off at 8pm – 9pm in Belgium, Italy and Germany.
- It will be played at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
- The sides last met at Euro 2016 when goals from Emmanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle saw Antonio Conte’s Italy run out 2-0 winners.
What TV channel is Belgium vs Italy on and can I live stream it?
- Belgium vs Italy is live on BBC One.
- Coverage commences at 7.30pm – half an hour before kick-off.
- To stream the game live, head to the BBC iPlayer.
- RTBF and VRT are showing Euro 2020 in Belgium while RAI and Sky Italia are the Italian broadcasters.
Can I watch Belgium vs Italy for free?
Team news
Belgium are beset by injury worries with Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard BOTH touch and go for this game.
Manager Roberto Martinez said: “The initial information that we have from medical staff is positive for both, they will remain with the squad and they have no structural damage,
“But we are running up against time and it is very difficult to see them fully fit. So, we have to take it day by day to try and get them fit.
“We were all a bit concerned before we got the news from the scans and it was a relief to all that we can now work on trying to get them fit again.”
But in a his pre-match press conference, Roberto Martinez said it was more likely De Bruyne would play than Hazard.
He commented: “It will be difficult for Eden to play tomorrow because of a soft issue injury and maybe a little different for Kevin who’s had a ligament problem.”
Timothy Castagne has withdrawn from the squad after a double fracture in his eye socket.
Italy’s only doubt for this match is full-back Alessandro Florenzi, who has a calf injury.
Giorgio Chiellini is set to return to the starting line-up after missing the Austria game with a thigh injury.
Latest odds
To win in 90 minutes
Belgium 23/10
Draw 2/1
Italy 29/20
To qualify
Belgium 23/20
Italy 4/6
*Odds from Betfair correct as of Wednesday, June 30
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CUP A LOAD OF THAT
Roberto Mancini and Roberto Martinez haven’t faced off as managers in eight years.
But last time they did, it was pretty memorable.
Ben Watson headed home the only goal in extra time as Martinez’s Wigan stunned Mancini’s Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup final.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Italy enjoy almost total dominance over Belgium in the head-to-head stakes.
The Azzurri have won 14 of the teams’ meetings, drawn four and lost four.
And in competitive fixtures, Belgium have won just once against Italy, back in 1972 when they beat them 2-1 in a European Championship qualifier.
Last time the sides met was at Euro 2016 when Antonio Conte tactically outclassed Marc Wilmots as his unfancied side ran out 2-0 winners through goals from Graziano Pelle and Emmanuele Giaccherini.
FINAL FOUR
The winner of Belgium vs Italy will take on the victor of today’s early quarter-final between Switzerland and Spain.
It gets underway in Saint-Petersburg at 5pm UK time.
You can follow all the action here with our live blog.
FEELING THE BLUES
Italy are slight favourites to advance to the Euro 2020 semi-final, according to Betfair.
Belgium are 12/5 outsiders to win the game in 90 minutes with Italy 11/8 and the draw 21/10.
You can get the Belgians to qualify at 23/20 while Italy are odds-on at 4/6.
SHOW OF UNITY?
The argument over players taking the knee has been just as vicious in Italy as in England.
The Azzurri have not collectively taken the knee in any of their Euro 2020 games so far, but five players chose to kneel when Wales did in Rome.
And the team have now agreed that they WILL take the knee when Belgium do, in solidarity with Roberto Martinez’s team.
Captain Giorgio Chiellini stated that this does not mean they support any political stance or indeed the view of the Belgian players.
He stated: “If in fact the opponents were to choose to kneel in that case the team would do the same, kneel, out of respect for the sensitivity of the opponents.
“This is where the group chose a line.”
And the Italian FA added: “As Chiellini explained, the team will kneel in solidarity with the opponents.
“Not for the [Black Lives Matter] campaign itself, which we don’t share.
“The Austrian players didn’t kneel and ours remained standing. If those from Belgium do so, ours too will in solidarity with them.”
CITY SLICKER
Roberto Martinez has spoken positively about Kevin de Bruyne’s chances of featuring in today’s match after he was forced off against Italy through injury.
He said: “Every day that goes by, we see an improvement. We know we are fighting against time. We will take until the last minute [to decide].
“We are in tournament mode and by being with the team here, we are trying to get them fit as quickly as we can.
“That’s not being arrogant. We’re just trying to see if we can get them fit for the next few games.
“It will be difficult in Eden’s case with a soft tissue injury, and maybe Kevin is a little bit different.”
FREE PASS
Italy fans will be delighted to have a game they can travel to after being banned from their last 16 win over Austria at Wembley.
Italians arriving to the UK are forced into quarantine, meaning it was impossible for them to see the game.
But both Italians and Belgians are currently allowed to travel freely to Munich where this game will take place.
And Italy will have a measure of revenge for tomorrow’s quarter-final in Rome, where England fans will be unable to watch their game against Ukraine.
INVINCIBLES CLASH
Belgium are taking on Italy as the two most successful teams at Euro 2020 so far go head-to-head.
Both teams come into this game with hundred per cent records at the tournament so far, but only one will progress to the semi-final.
The Belgians cruised out of a group containing Denmark, Finland and Russia, dazzling the world with some mesmerising attacking football.
But a more pragmatic display was required in the last 16 as they held on to a 1-0 win over Portugal with both Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne going off injured.
Italy were equally impressive in the group stage, if not more so, as they hammered Turkey and Switzerland 3-0 on home turf before outplaying Wales in a 1-0 win.
But they looked far less comfortable against Austria at Wembley and would have been dumped out but for VAR disallowing a Marko Arnautovic header for offside.
Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina popped up with the crucial strikes in extra time to send the Azzurri through, despite a consolation goal from Sasa Kalajdzic.
Munich is the host city for this one with the game to be played in front of a 22 per cent capacity after German Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer criticised Wembley for its plans to host the semi-finals and final at a 75 per cent capacity.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
