EURO 2020: Semifinal clash between Spain and Italy promises to be a battle of equals

London, July 5

Advertisement

Luis Enrique thought for a couple of seconds, looked straight back at the questioner, and gave the curtest of replies. “No,” said the Spain coach, with the blankest of looks on his face, after being asked if he had seen a better team than his at the European Championship.

An answer out of blind loyalty? Perhaps. Or was it the fact that Spain were the leading scorer at Euro 2020? Maybe. Or the fact that La Roja are on an unbeaten streak stretching back to October, a run of 13 games? Quite possibly.

Spain’s opponents in the semifinals on Tuesday might have something to say about all that. Italy, another of the continent’s traditional powers, bring an even better run of form to Wembley Stadium — a national-record 32 matches unbeaten, going all the way back to September 2018.

From the moment tenor Andrea Bocelli cleared the field at Stadio Olimpico after his stirring rendition of “Nessun Dorma” at the opening ceremony, making way for the start of the tournament, the Italians have been right on the money. Three impressive wins in the group stage, without conceding. A gutsy victory over a better-than-expected Austria in the Round of 16. The elimination of top-ranked Belgium in the quarterfinals.

Maybe Luis Enrique isn’t aware, but Italy are rolling at the moment. This might be a match between teams who have almost forgotten what it feels like to lose — Spain have only one defeat in their last 29 games — but Italy look to have the edge. — AP

• 1 Loss Spain have only one defeat in their last 29 games
• 2 Goals Italy have conceded only two goals in this edition
• 13 Games La Roja are on an unbeatenstreak stretching back to October, a run of 13 games
• 32 Matches Italy bring an even better run of form to Wembley Stadium — a national-record 32 matches unbeaten, going all the way back to September 2018