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      Euro 2020: England set to be unchanged with Bukayo Saka again trusted for date of destiny vs Italy

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE will put his trust in teenager Bukayo Saka once again in England’s date of destiny in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.The Arsenal starlet, 19, has started both the second-round win over Germany and Wednesday’s extra-time semi-final win over Denmark.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog

      Bukayo Saka is set to start the Euro 2020 final vs ItalyCredit: PA
      And the boss looks to have been impressed enough to name Saka in his XI for Sunday’s final – England’s first in 55 years – at Wembley.
      That means the likes of Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford will have to be content with a seat on the bench once again.
      Saka missed the trip to Rome to beat Ukraine due to injury, with Sancho impressing in his place as the Three Lions romped to a 4-0 win.
      Phil Foden will be absent through injury, after picking up a foot issue in training.
      The Manchester City starlet was pushing for a start after a lively camo in midweek but sat out training today after picking up a knock.

      Saka meanwhile will be rewarded for his stunning tournament that reached new heights with his assist against the Danes.
      He will once again be flanked by Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling, with the former just one goal away from matching his Golden Boot rivals.
      Mason Mount’s role as the furthest of the middle three means Jack Grealish will be left sat on the bench waiting to be unleashed.
      Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips will be the deep-lying midfielders – with their partnership a huge part of England being tough to break down.

      ⚽ ENGLAND vs ITALY EURO 2020 FINAL BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

      THREE CRUCIAL CHASHES
      Harry Kane vs Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci
      The two Italian warhorses will be looking to rough  England captain Kane up at every opportunity but will not enjoy the Tottenham striker dropping deep.
      However, if the four-goal hitman can find the runners in behind, the ageing Juventus duo — with a combined age of 70 — could well be in trouble.
      Raheem Sterling vs Giovanni Di Lorenzo
      Azzurri right-back Di Lorenzo is really growing into this tournament but will have his work cut out with the pacey Manchester City striker.
      The Napoli man is a solid defender though and he will relish the one-on-one battle. He promises to give the England flyer his toughest test yet.
      Luke Shaw vs Federico Chiesa
      Juventus winger Chiesa started the Euros as a sub but has become Italy’s most dangerous option on the right.
      Manchester United left-back Shaw has been superb going forward but will need to be disciplined and watch out for the speedster’s darting runs.

      Harry Maguire will again be partnered by John Stones at the heart of the defence, with Kyle Walker right-back and Luke Shaw on the left.
      A rejuvenated Jordan Pickford is between the sticks – and looks to cap off his Golden Glove success with his sixth clean sheet out of seven.
      However, Gareth Southgate will have a decision to make over which of the three players he will be forced to leave out of his matchday squad.
      Hollywood star Tom Cruise uses FaceTime to wish Southgate’s England good luck in their quest to be Top Guns at Euro 2020 More

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      Gareth Southgate urges England fans NOT to boo Italian anthem during Euro 2020 final as he says ‘respect the opposition’

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      GARETH Southgate has urged England fans NOT to boo the Italian national anthem at the Euro 2020 final tomorrow. The gaffer encouraged fans at Wembley to do the right thing and “respect” the country’s anthem ahead of the crunch clash. 
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Southgate has urged England fans NOT to boo the Italian national anthem at the Euro 2020 final tomorrowCredit: Getty
      He said fans must ‘respect’ Italy’s anthemCredit: AP
      Over 60,000 fans will have Wembley rocking tomorrow night as Harry Kane leads the Three Lions into their first tournament final since 1966.
      Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the final, Southgate told reporters: “It’s important our fans always respect the opposition.
      “We know that when we play abroad and fans boo our anthem it inspires them more. I don’t think it will help the team.
      “We can intimidate the team booing during the game, but it is different for the anthem.”

      It comes after a string of sports stars condemned the minority of fans who booed the Danish national anthem on Wednesday night before the semi-final clash. 
      Writing on Twitter, ex-England striker and BBC presenter Gary Lineker urged fans not to boo the Italian anthem, titled “Il Canto degli Italiani”, as it was an “absolute belter”. 
      He added that it was “rude, disrespectful and utterly classless”. 
      Jeers were also heard when the German anthem was played at Wembley last week, when England beat Joachim Loew’s side in the round of 16.
      The Three Lions will hope to make history tomorrow nightCredit: PA
      Fans in Rome belt out the national anthem before the semi-final clash against SpainCredit: AP
      Elsewhere in tonight’s press conference, Southgate said the team’s sole focus was on “bringing the trophy home”.
      He added: “We’re in a final and we’re here to win. Now we want to go and bring the trophy home.”
      Captain Harry Kane said he was determined to deliver for the fans.
      He said: “That is the challenge now. We have been knocking down barriers on the way but we have to out there and win it.
      “To see the fans on the street and see the reception we have had, it has just shown us how big of an occasion it is.

      “We know how much it means to the English fans so we are proud to be representing them and hopefully we can do them proud tomorrow night.”
      The Three Lions will kick off against Italy at 8pm tomorrow.
      The Queen sends ‘best wishes’ to Gareth Southgate and England in open letter ahead of Euro 2020 final against Italy More

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      Gareth Southgate insists It’s Coming Home is England’s ‘unique humour’ and is NOT arrogant after chant criticism

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      GARETH Southgate has insisted the “It’s Coming Home” chant is a product of England’s “unique” sense of humour – and is NOT arrogant. The gaffer hit back after foreign media accused Three Lions fans of overconfidence ahead of tomorrow’s final against Italy at Wembley. 
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Gareth Southgate told a press conference the “It’s Coming Home” chant is a product of England’s unique sense of humourCredit: Getty
      Boris Johnson this week urged the Three Lions to ‘bring it home’ following their heroic win against Denmark on WednesdayCredit: Reuters
      It’s coming home are the opening words and chorus to Three Lions, written by David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and the Lightning Seeds for Euro ’96 in England. 
      In a press conference this evening, Southgate jumped to England fans’ defence – pointing out that Brits had a self-deprecating sense of humour and were well aware of their team’s past failures. 
      Southgate, who missed a crucial penalty in the Euro 96 semi-final against Germany, said for a long time he could not listen to the song – as it was too painful.
      He said: “I didn’t want to listen to it for 15 years as it was too painful. You have to know the English to understand our humour.
      “It’s certainly not arrogance. The lyrics are making fun of ourselves really. It has always appeared at the tournaments.
      “The atmosphere in the ground has been great.”
      The lyrics are making fun of ourselves really. It has always appeared at the tournamentsGareth Southgate
      And in a cheeky nod to the chant, Southgate told reporters he wants to “bring the trophy home”.
      He added: “We’re in a final and we’re here to win.
      “Now we want to go and bring the trophy home.”
      David Baddiel was forced to defend the song this weekCredit: Twitter
      Pupils from Stratford upon Avon School in Warwickshire lining up spell ‘It’s Coming Home’ ahead of the England final on SundayCredit: PA
      A pilot spelled the letters using a flight tracker in the sky
      It follows reports that ministers have been told to stop saying “It’s Coming Home” because the England song “does not go down well overseas”. 
      The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport officials warned the song lyric could scupper the UK and Ireland bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
      And in a briefing note to bosses, ministers were urged not to use the phrase with the media – as England gets ready to play Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday.
      A Whitehall email seen by PoliticsHome, read: “As stressed before, please do encourage your ministers not to use ‘it’s coming home’ with the news media and social media.
      “I know we’re swimming against the tide, but we know this does not go down well overseas – and strategically we need to do all we can to make ourselves welcoming to the football authorities when the UK and Ireland is scoping out a bid for 2030.”
      The song has become integral to English football with Boris Johnson even urging the nation to “bring it home” after England’s nail-biting semi-final win against Denmark on Wednesday.
      But many have been quick to misinterpret the tune, with Baddiel forced to defend the hit this week.
      Responding to one US writer, who said the song was a ‘Brexit psychodrama’, the comedian wrote: “It’s about how we mainly lose but still irrationally believe that this time, hope might triumph over experience.
      “It’s about yearning and magical thinking. It’s about the condition of being a football fan.
      “Admittedly people have taken Football’s Coming Home to mean all sorts of b******s.”
      One Twitter user replied: “Some people will read anything into things, won’t they?!
      “It’s a love song about the England team and being a football fan in general.”
      Another said: “It’s the optimism of being a fan of either a club or a nation that never wins b*gger all.
      “You still turn up every week thinking that you’ll win.”
      Fans have been chanting the song all week, with the lyrics ringing out across the country after England beat Denmark 2-1 on Wednesday.

      One megafan even took to the skies to scrawl the iconic message on flight radar, plugging in the coordinates on his GPS ahead of the final on Sunday.
      Pilot Ben Davis created the masterpiece which shows up on FlightRadar24 in an hour-and-a-half after taking off from Finmere airfield in Oxfordshire on Thursday evening.
      Ben said: “It was just to express my support for the country. I thought rather than watching the telly, I said to the wife I had an idea and I was off out.”
      England fans – pictured after their Denmark win – have been singing the song all weekCredit: Reuters
      Boris Johnson decks out No10 with England flags for Euro 2020 final – as Brits push for Bank Holiday if we win More

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      England vs Italy FREE: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for Three Lions’ historic Euro 2020 final

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      ENGLAND are BACK in the final of a major tournament for the first time since 1966 as they take on Italy in Euro 2020’s showpiece event. The Three Lions have impressed all tournament with their defensive nous and attacking instinct, conceding no goals from open play in six games.
      Harry Kane hit the winner in England’s win over Denmark on WednesdayCredit: The Mega Agency
      Jorginho scored the winning penalty in Italy’s shootout win vs SpainCredit: Getty
      ⚽️ Get Harry Kane to score 50/1 & Raheem Sterling to score 66/1 ⚽️

      On Wednesday, they beat Denmark 2-1 AET to reach the final, where they will face a tough Italian side.
      Robert Mancini’s men have looked menacing since their opening day win against Turkey, but looked ragged at times in their penalty-shootout victory over Spain in the semis.
      And Sunday’s final is sure to excite and grip the nation, as fans wait to see if football will finally come home.
      What time does England vs Italy kick-off?

      England’s monumental clash with Italy will kick-off at 8pm UK time on Sunday, July 11.
      The game will take place at Wembley Stadium, where England have played five times already, with Italy having played their twice this tournament.
      There will be between 60,000-70,000 spectators in attendance at the game.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      England vs Italy will be shown live on BBC One and ITV 1 on Sunday.
      BBC will get their coverage underway from 6.20pm UK time, while ITV will get going 10 minutes later at 6.30pm.
      You can live stream the action from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile, tablet device or Smart TV.
      And the same can be said for ITV’s streaming service the ITV Hub.

      Can I watch for FREE?

      Yes, the game is available for FREE on BBC One, so long as you have a TV licence.
      You can also catch the action on the BBC iPlayer.
      The game is also free to watch on ITV 1 and the ITV Hub.

      Team news
      Phil Foden is set for heartbreak as he looks certain to miss tomorrow’s Euro 2020 final.
      The Manchester City forward did not train today after picking up a foot injury in training yesterday.
      It was expected that Bukayo Saka would start the game anyway, but Foden will likely be unavailable for the bench too.
      Southgate is expected to stick with a back four, with his biggest decision potentially coming in midfield, as Jordan Henderson pushes for a start.
      Italy will start with Emerson Palmieri at left-back as Leonardo Spinazzola has a ruptured Achilles.
      Federico Chiesa is likely to start in a front three with Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne.

      Odds
      England in 90 mins – 13/8Draw – 19/10Italy in 90 mins – 21/10England to lift trophy – 8/11Italy to lift trophy – EVS
      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      Man Utd eyeing £17m transfer swoop for Italy right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo from Napoli after Euro 2020 final vs England

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are set to try and sign Italy right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo after Euro 2020, according to reports.The Napoli defender has been sensational for Roberto Mancini’s men this summer as the Azzurri have made it all the way to the final.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Di Lorenzo will likely start in the Euro 2020 final for Italy against England on SundayCredit: Getty
      He has been an integral part of Italy’s success this summerCredit: The Sun
      And Di Lorenzo will almost certainly line up for Italy against England at Wembley on Sunday in what would be his fifth start of the tournament.
      But his club career now looks to be up in the air following rumours linking him with a move to Man Utd before the start of next season.
      According to Il Napolista, the Red Devils have been alerted to the 27-year-old after he revealed during the Euros that he likes the Premier League.
      The move for Di Lorenzo is said to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s way of bringing in some competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.
      But if they are to prize him away from Napoli then they will have to stump up £17million.
      Man Utd have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid and England defender Kieran Trippier.
      But it is thought United are not willing to meet the transfer demands of the LaLiga club.

      ⚽ ENGLAND vs ITALY EURO 2020 FINAL BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

      Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo
      So now Di Lorenzo is the frontrunner to arrive at Old Trafford this summer and threaten Wan-Bissaka’s place on the right side of their defence.
      Di Lorenzo joined Napoli from Empoli in 2019 for just £6.83m and has gone on to play 95 times for the club, scoring seven goals.
      Meanwhile, Man Utd have been busy in the transfer market already as they look to finalise deals for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho and Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Jose Mourinho fumes about Man Utd and Tottenham exits and hits out at claims he was ‘disastrous’ at Premier League clubs More

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      Phil Foden set to MISS England’s Euro 2020 final vs Italy as Man City starlet misses training with foot injury

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      PHIL FODEN is set for heartbreak as he looks certain to miss tomorrow’s Euro 2020 final.The Manchester City forward did not train today after picking up a foot injury in training yesterday.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Phil Foden is likely to MISS the Italy final with a foot injuryCredit: PA
      And the issue is a massive blow for Foden who could miss the clash against Italy completely.
      The City star was more likely to start on the bench with Bukayo Saka set to keep his place after the 2-1 win over Denmark in the semi-finals.
      But manager Gareth Southgate knows Foden, due to this problem, is unlikely to even make the substitute’s bench for the clash at Wembley.
      The injury is not a serious one and he should be back for pre-season training with Manchester City.
      Southgate said in Saturday’s pre-match press conference:
      The England manager said on Saturday: “Phil has got a very slight foot injury which he felt after training.
      “He didn’t train today – and I’d have to say he’s doubtful for tomorrow.
      “We’ll check him again later. It’s not something that will keep him out for a long time, but it might be that the game comes too soon.”
      Southgate’s heroic Three Lions will take home advantage into tomorrow’s Euros showpiece against Italy at Wembley.
      The squad completed their final training session but Foden was sidelined due to a ‘minor knock’.
      But in better news, the Manchester City forward and the other 25 players passed their Uefa mandated PCR coronavirus tests.
      Foden, 21, started England’s opening two games in the delayed Euros, when they beat Croatia 1-0 but drew to Scotland.

      ⚽ ENGLAND vs ITALY EURO 2020 FINAL BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

      Phil Foden sat out England’s final sessionCredit: PA
      England trained for the last time before their European Championship finalCredit: Getty
      England captain Harry Kane looks on in trainingCredit: AFP

      He was then rested in the 2-0 victory over Czech Republic and replaced by Bukayo Saka, and has not returned to the starting XI since.
      Saka, 19, played a key role in England’s wins over Czech Republic and then Germany until he was then ruled out against Ukraine with injury.
      Jadon Sancho, 21, who is set to move to Manchester United, replaced the Arsenal forward in the 4-0 thumping over Ukraine.
      But he failed to keep his place in the semi-final as Saka came back into the starting XI on the right wing against Denmark.
      Foden did come on as a substitute as England progressed into their first final since winning the 1966 World Cup by beating Denmark 2-1.
      Despite Saka’s emergence in Southgate’s side, United legend-turned pundit Gary Neville has tipped Sancho or Marcus Rashford to play against Italy.
      England manager Gareth Southgate takes his last training sessionCredit: AFP
      He told Sky after the Denmark win: “I am not sure he will start Sunday. I think that might just be too much for him.
      ‘What he did last night, the amount he has given in this tournament, I just feel we will see somebody else.
      ‘I look at Chiellini and Bonucci, and I think, who wouldn’t they like to have in those wide areas, making those inside runs?
      “And I actually think it could be a game for Rashford or Sancho to accompany Sterling in those wide positions.
      “I think those wide positions need to be quick players, who make out to in runs, so I don’t think we will see Saka on Sunday.
      “I think it might be one game too much for him.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Boris Johnson decks out No10 with England flags for Euro 2020 final – as Brits push for Bank Holiday if we win More

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      Watch Anthony Joshua’s rousing message sent to the England team as boxing champ tells them ‘the nation believes’

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      ANTHONY Joshua has recorded a stirring message of support for Gareth Southgate’s England team ahead of their crunch Euros final clash with Italy tomorrow.World Heavyweight boxing champion Joshua – currently preparing to defend his belts against Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, 34 – sent the clip from his training camp.
      England will face Italy in the Euro 2020 final tomorrow eveningCredit: Getty
      And unified heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua has sent a message of support to Gareth Southgate’s troopsCredit: SUNSPORT
      Smiling AJ, 31 – sporting a bandana, training top and boxing wraps on his hands – said: “Boys, what can I say – it’s been a Sterling effort so far.
      The nation believes you Kane go all the way and I’m sure you will leave everything on the pitch.”
      Then, breaking into the England anthem at the end of his message, he added: “Now go out there and do the business – you’ve got my support and I do believe it’s Coming Home.Let’s go.”
      It comes as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions prepare to face Italy at Wembley at 8pm tomorrow – in a bid to end a 55-year trophy drought dating back to 1966.
      A crowd of 65,000 – set to feature Prince William and Boris Johnson and wife Carrie – will roar on England at Wembley.
      And another 35 million viewers will cram into living rooms to watch on TV, in pubs and in fan zones.

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      The nation will be praying that Southgate’s team – led by captain Harry Kane, 27 – can defeat the Italians to clinch our first Euros trophy and only silverware since the 1966 World Cup.
      AJ’s message – sent to the England team via The Sun online – comes days after he celebrated the Three Lions’ 2-1 semi-final win over Denmark on Twitter.
      The champ, who has followed games on TV, wrote on Twitter after the tense victory: “sweeeeeetttttt caroline” – in reference to the Wembley anthem.
      Fellow boxer Tyson Fury – in America training for a now-postponed fight with Deontay Wilder after testing positive for Covid – chimed in saying: “Immense performance from the lads.”
      Their heavyweight rival, Derek Chisora, was in the crowd at Wembley and posted a video of himself celebrating and singing Sweet Caroline with fans.
      England players celebrate England’s equaliser against DenmarkCredit: Getty

      Joshua defends his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts against Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium on September 25.
      Although Usyk’s promoter recently revealed there are still some minor details to be ironed out.
      Alexander Krassuyk told The Daily Mail: “According to my experience in boxing, the fight is done when both fighters enter the ring and the bell sounds.
      “We just have three small issues to co-ordinate, which we’re going to do tonight.
      “We have a conference call to fix everything and to proceed with signing [contracts].
      “[It’s] some small risky things, which are not likely to happen. But we are professionals and we need to secure even the lowest possibility issues.
      “That’s why we keep saying, ‘The principal things have been coordinated a long time ago.’
      “But all those small issues are in progress. Nothing major.
      “We keep saying we’re going to make it within a couple of days. But the issue is our lawyers are in the United States, we’re in Ukraine, [AJ’s] guys are in the UK.
      “We don’t need to talk much, we just need to agree on small issues and to proceed further.”
      Watch Anthony Joshua’s rousing message sent to the England team as boxing champ tells them ‘the nation believes’ More

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      Brilliant throwback pics show Luke Shaw’s journey from kids team in Surrey to England’s Euro 2020 ‘Shawberto’ hero

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      IT HAS been quite the journey for Luke Shaw as these brilliant throwback pictures show. The left-back started out playing in a kids team in Surrey and has progressed into England’s Euro 2020 hero ‘Shawberto’.
      Shaw started his journey to stardom for MoleseyCredit: PA
      Shaw competing at a sports dayCredit: PA
      Shaw as a schoolboyCredit: PA
      Shaw leading England’s Euro 2020 challenge as he helped them reach the finalCredit: Rex

      Shaw’s time as a youngster playing for Molesey helped shape his career and he is now starring on the biggest stage for England.
      It has been a remarkable rise for the Manchester United star with Shaw one of Gareth Southgate’s star performers during their historic run to Sunday’s final at Wembley.
      Shaw has had to come through difficult times with Jose Mourinho notoriously harsh with him at Old Trafford.

      But the England left-back is in the form of his life and has helped England surge to their first European Championship final.
      Shaw has been compared to Brazil legend Roberto Carlos, leading to his new nickname ‘Shawberto’.
      Carlos told PA recently: He’s been improving each game and I think he’s got everything to get to the top.
      “He’s the left-back for England, that in itself says a lot.”

      ⚽ ENGLAND vs ITALY EURO 2020 FINAL BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

      Shaw has been a revelation and provided two assists in the space of just three minutes as England crushed Ukraine in the quarter-finals.
      The 25-year-old’s productivity has even seen him set up more goals than Zinedine Zidane managed in 14 appearances at the Euros.
      And now he is set for a key role in England’s huge final against Italy on Sunday night.

      England heroes train for last time ahead of Euro 2020 final with Italy but Phil Foden sits out due to ‘minor knock’ More