Two teams, Spain and Italy, seem to have lost touch with what it is like to lose. But something must be done in their semi-final matchup at Euro 2020.Spain has overcome pre-tournament tensions, coronavirus chaos, and brutal knockout clashes to continue an impressive run that saw them lose just one game in 29 and remain unbeaten in 13.A transitional side is aiming for a third European Championship title in four editions. However, Italy, another continental heavyweight revived by Roberto Mancini, heads to Wembley, having not suffered defeat since September 2018.They have met 10 times at major tournaments. Italy held the upper hand until Spain beat them in penalties to win their Euro 2008 victory. Spain then thrashed them 4-0 four years later.Image: Italy defeated Belgium to book a match with Spain in Tuesday's semi-finalsAn old rivalry was boiling over at the 1994 World Cup, when Italy won in the quarter-finals. However, Spain suffered injury from Mauro Tassiotti's elbow. This act later cost him an eight-match ban. Luis Enrique was left bloody.New success is sought. The Kiev showdown in 2012 was the last time either side made it this far. While they were traditionally regarded as footballing rivals, Luis Enrique believes that the current crop are more philosophically compatible."This Italy side may not be like those of years past - one that would wait and see what happens," the man whose debut was as national coach brought a win in Wembley, told UEFA before the game."This side is Italy with great players and aims to have lots of possession. This will be the first game in the game: Who dominates possession?"I don’t believe either of us can be dominant, so it will be interesting to see which side wins this tussle. They also have a high press which is something that it'd be difficult to imagine an Italian side doing in the past.0:52 Italy's squad arrived in England to face Spain at Wembley in the Euro 2020 semi-final (Pictures: UEFA 2020)"And the problem with that is that I can see Italy having the same attitude as us... They feel like a true team unit."Mancini was defending Spain's possession-based play style on Monday but insists his side will not alter how they set up for the Euro 2020 semi-final.Mancini stated that the Mexican team has dominated the world of football for 20 years so he doesn't believe they will change their play style now. "Luis Enrique has been a great coach, and he's shown a lot.They have a unique style of play that they invented, and it has brought them extraordinary success. Ours will be slightly different as we are Italians and cannot suddenly become Spanish. We will play our game."We know it won't be easy. We are aware that Spain is a top team and we must deliver a strong performance.Italy's revival under Mancini, the 'orchestra director'Image: Roberto Mancini is the inspiration for a remarkable upturnIt seemed that something was in the air from the moment Andrea Bocelli, tenor, began singing Nessun Dorma during the Stadio Olimpico’s opening ceremony.Italy was disappointed to miss the 2018 World Cup, but Mancini is able to get them moving again.Three wins were achieved in the group stage without conceding a goal. In the 16th round, a brave Austria was put to the test for mental toughness. The quarter-final loss to top-ranked Belgium in round 16 was a tactical and technical triumph as well as a remarkable display of character.Under Mancini, the Azzurri won 28 goals, scored 90 goals, and conceded only 16.Image: Italy's players celebrate their hard-fought win over Austria at Euro 2020Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, both evergreen centre-backs, continue to lead the charge, but the players in front have transformed into a high-energy unit, which presses hard, attacks quickly, and moves with freedom.Lorenzo Insigne's left-hand cutting has allowed Leonardo Spinazzola – one of the players in the tournament before he was injured against Belgium - space to attack. Federico Chiesa, on the other flank, has provided more width and prompted dangerous runs from Nicolo Barrella.Arrigo Sacchi, former boss of Italy, has praised Mancini's ability to marry style and steel.Gazzetta dello Sport quoted him as saying, "Italy wins and entertains with a modern brandof football."Mancini is an exceptional orchestra director. This team wouldn't be able to play as well without him. He has changed our mindset in a matter of minutes."How to Cope Without SpinazzolaImage: Leonardo Spinazzola was forced to be stretchered away against BelgiumSpinazzola's injury, the wing-back leaving the field in tears after rupturing his Achilles tendon against Belgium, was the only negative in Italy's quarterfinal victory in Munich.The 28-year old was having a great tournament. His speed and tricks provided an outlet for Italy's left side. He was actually a wingback but often looked more like an auxiliary striker due to his attacking nature.Spinazzola was the most prolific player in Italy, making more dribbles than any other player. He also ranked high for shots and chances created. However, Mancini does not have a replacement. Mancini may need to reconsider his decision regarding Spinazzola's absence. However, Emerson, who is more conservative, will likely take over.Image: Italy has been a significant threat to their left flank at Euro 2020His Italy side has directed a large percentage of their attacks down Spinazzola’s flank throughout the tournament, but they will have to find other ways to hurt Spain without him. Gazzetta dello Sport urged Gazzetta dello Sport to be aggressive, fast and in control of the game before the match.It is likely that the midfield battle will be a significant one. Spain has the potential to dominate this area of the pitch with Sergio Busquets and Pedri making a formidable team. Despite their possession dominance, their central midfielders have yet to score at Euro 2020.Italy appears to be far more skilled in this area than the United States. Manuel Locatelli and Matteo Pessina both scored twice while Barella also made it to the net. Italy without Spinazzola will be in need of those players at Wembley on Tuesday night.Spain wins over critics, but the finishing problem remainsImage: Luis Enrique was criticized for his selection of squad membersSections of Spanish media were critical of Luis Enrique's first squad selection. AS accused him of being a traitor to the country's most beloved club by leaving out Sergio Ramos.As the tournament neared, Sergio Busquets' and Diego Llorente's positive coronavirus tests threatened to end their entire involvement.The final whistle of the Seville match ended in a 0-0 draw. This drew jeers from the players and caused a collision course between the players and supporters. Aymeric Laporte admitted that the team left feeling disappointed after all the work we put in and all the opportunities we created.Further frustration arose from a draw with Poland, which led to another draw. Radio Marca called Luis Enrique "pigheaded", and added that Spain weren't "fit to win this Euros, and we all know it".Enrique's siege mentality was fostered by Enrique's 5-0 victory over Slovakia. Enrique's public faith was never diminished by the mistakes of Unai Simon and Alvaro Morata."Luis Enrique, the architect of everything," said Simon. After saving two penalties against Switzerland, Simon said that Enrique had shown him the way and pointed us in the right direction.Gaizka Mendieta said that Luis Enrique is deserving of credit."He trusted the players in a way that few people do. He has trusted the players in a certain way of playing, and has given them the same mentality as he did. They are a testament to their ability to bounce back from failures and overcome challenges.Image: Spain fans have abused Alvaro Morata over his missed opportunitiesSpain is the top scorer at Euro 2020, thanks to their five goals against Slovakia and Croatia. However, a lackluster performance in the last third has been a constant problem.They scored only once in 16 games against Switzerland, scoring from 28 goals. They were equally wasteful in their two first group games against Sweden and Poland. In both games, they scored one goal from 29 shots and drew both.Morata and Gerard Moreno are their strikers. They have six and five big missed Euro 2020 chances, respectively. Their struggles against Switzerland on Friday will not help their fragile confidence.Luis Enrique hopes that their luck will turn against Italy and that Spain finds the cutting edge to compliment their creativity. However, Mancini's team are unlikely to offer them as many chances as any of the other opponents they have encountered.Italy had 11 consecutive clean sheets before conceding against Austria and Belgium in their two previous games.They have limited their opponent's Euro 2020 opponents to seven shots per match. With Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini celebrating each block and tackle as a goal, they will enjoy the challenge of keeping Spain’s forwards quiet on Tuesday night.The verdict of the pundit: "Italy's most complete outfit, but it will be tight."Image: Jorginho played a crucial role in Italy's midfieldSkysports.com speaks with Alan Smith, a former striker for England and Arsenal."I was very impressed by Italy, and I thought they had the best outfit of the tournament, not counting England."They had a great record of keeping clean sheets up until the Austria game, and they also have this long unbeaten streak under Roberto Mancini."There will be a real trust there for Italy, whose strength is in the wide positions of Lorenzo Insigne Federico Chiesa, Domenico Berardi and Federico Chiesa."Jorginho has been a great ambassador for Italy. He has a great understanding of Marco Verratti, Nicolo Barella, and they form a strong trio in central park."It's all about position from Jorginho when it comes to his defensive work. He does his job quickly and efficiently, moving the ball quickly to get it forward. This is another strength of Italy."But Italy and Spain, I think, are two teams that would be difficult to play without a top-class centre forward."We have seen Alvaro Morata in Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and on loan at Juventus. While he can play a lot of good games, he is not convincing in the final third.Spain could be a much better team if they had a better centre-forward. They have some really talented players from other countries.Image: Pedri feels frustrated by Spain's 0-0 draw against Sweden"And I believe that's a similar situation to Italy with Ciro Immobile. He is a great trier, and scores many goals for Lazio. However, I think he is a bit short at international level. He is one of those players that you can't ignore.They are hard to stop when Italy gets going and starts passing the ball like against Belgium. Spain could have a difficult night if they score an early goal and take the game in their hands.Spain does pose a threat to Italy and Italy will need to be vigilant. They have some great players and a great coach in Luis Enrique."I don’t believe there will be too many in it. Italy is the superior team, but it doesn't always win these 90-minute or 120-minute games.News from the teamItaly: Emerson will replace Spinazzola, who is injured at left-back.Spain: Pablo Sarabia may miss the match after sustaining a thigh injury against Switzerland. Aymeric Laporte was unable to attend a training session before the game, but it is believed that this allowed him to continue his recovery.Opta statsItaly has only twice beaten Spain in 14 of their last 14 matches in all competitions (D7L5). In 2011, Italy won 2-1 in a friendly match and in 2016, Italy won 2-0 at EURO 2016. Goals by Giorgio Chiellini, and Graziano Perll, were the highlights of Italy's victory.This will be the seventh European Championship matchup between Spain and Italy. For the fourth consecutive tournament, the two countries will meet in the knockout stage of the competition. Spain won the final in 2012, while Italy lost it in 2008.Italy reached their 12th semifinal at a major tournament (EUROs/World Cup). Only Germany (20 has appeared at the final four stages more often than any other European side). They have advanced from nine of the 11 previous semi-final matches, including each of their last four. The most recent being in 2012, when they lost to Spain (0-4).Spain has reached the semifinals of the European Championships third time in four editions (they failed to reach the finals in 2016). They have won the competition twice before, in 2008 and 2012.Spain has only lost one of five matches played at Wembley Stadium since 1968 (W2 D2), after losing their first four matches. They were eliminated from the EUROs 1996 at Wembley Stadium by hosts England, who lost on penalties.Lorenzo Insigne was involved in 13 goals for Italy in the last 15 competitions (6 goals and 7 assists), scoring the decisive goal against Belgium in Italy's quarter-final 2-1 victory.Spain's Dani Olmo (16), and Gerard Moreno (15), have had more shots than any other player at EURO 2020. Moreno's 15 shots have an anticipated goals (xG), total of 3.3. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (4.9) or Alvaro Morata ((4) had a greater total.Podcast: Questions about Spain and Italy's strengthsWith their Friday night wins over Switzerland, Belgium and Spain, Italy secured a place at Wembley's semi-final.Sky Sports' Peter Smith and Adam Bate join Kate Burlaga to analyze the first quarter-finals. The panel discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Spain. They discuss what makes Italy an effective opponent and how Roberto Mancini might deal with Leonardo Spinazzola’s injury.Italy vs Spain previewBen Ransom and Nick Wright join Peter Smith to preview England's Euro 2020 semifinal against Denmark at Wembley.Gareth Southgate will move to a back-three? What are the threats Denmark poses to England's watertight defense? What lessons can England take from the Nations League defeat to Denmark in October? Is Raheem Sterling the tournament's overall player?We also preview the second semi-final, as Italy faces Spain at Wembley on Tuesday night.
