Spain vs Italy lineups: Confirmed team news, predicted XIs and injury latest for Euro 2024 game
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Alvaro Morata and Rodri are both expected to be fit as Spain take on Italy at Euro 2024.
Both sides made a successful start to the tournament with wins in their opening Group B matches, and another three points here would be enough to seal a spot in the last-16 with a game to spare.
Spain captain Morata was forced off in the win over Croatia but insisted it was just “a knock”, while Luis de la Fuente played down concerns over Rodri’s fitness, after he too had to come off in the second-half.
The Spain boss said: “Nothing important. Morata got a bang, and Rodri was fatigue as he had worked a lot.
“It was intelligent to ask for the change, as we want all our players in the best condition possible for the final stages of this competition.”
A muscle issue kept Aymeric Laporte out of the Croatia match and while he is nearing a return to full fitness, it is likely Nacho keeps his place against Italy.
As for Italy, Nicolo Fagioli did not feature in his country’s victory over Albania after suffering bruising to his fibula, but he has been in training in since and could be involved against Spain.
There had been doubts over Nicolo Barella’s fitness heading into the tournament, but he started the opening match and came through unscathed, so should line up in midfield again.
Gianluca Scamacca should again lead the line, despite a quiet showing last time out, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Federico Chiesa set to continue either side of him.
Matteo Darmian is an option at full-back, but is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench again, with Federico Dimarco and Giovanni Di Lorenzo preferred.
Predicted Spain XI: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz, Pedri; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Predicted Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Frattesi, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Scamacca
Time and date: 8pm BST, Thursday June 20, 2024
Venue: Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen
TV channel: ITV1
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