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Spain will take on Italy in a high-profile UEFA Nations League semi-final at the San Siro on Wednesday. Both La Roja and the Azzurri booked their Nations League semi-final berths in November last year after topping their respective groups.
A lot has transpired since then. Roberto Mancini's side have shown a lot of resolve and grit as they were crowned champions of Europe earlier this year. The two teams battled in the semi-finals of the competition and Spain ultimately fell to Italy on penalties.
So Luis Enrique's men will be vying for revenge as they travel to take on Italy. A relatively young Spanish side did make quite an impression at Euro 2020. The winner of the match will take on either France or Belgium in the final of the Nations League.
Despite enjoying a deep run at Euro 2020, Spain have several causes for concern as they gear up for the game against Italy. Without further ado, let's take a look at five reasons why Spain will struggle against Italy in the UEFA Nations League semi-final tonight.
#5 Italy have home advantage
The UEFA Nations League semi-final between Italy and Spain will take place at the San Siro Stadium. Spain were able to take the game to Italy when the two sides last clashed in the semi-finals of Euro 2020. The match was played at Wembley, a neutral venue.
However, the Italians will have home advantage on Wednesday night. It's going to be a matchup between two well-matched sides and the game is likely to be decided on margins.
Italy have showcased great form and resolve over the last three years and particularly this summer at Euro 2020. On top of that, their home advantage could prove to be a telling difference between the two sides.
Italy's last defeat at home came in 1999 against Denmark. They've played 50 games at home since, and have won 39 and drawn 11. The Azzurri have also never been defeated at the San Siro.
#4 Key players missing for Spain in the UEFA Nations League semi-final
Spain will have to compete against Italy without some of their key players. The likes of Pedri, Dani Olmo, Alvaro Morata, Marcos Llorente, Brais Mendez, Adama Traore, Jordi Alba and Thiago Alcantara are all absent from Spain's squad.
Pedri and Dani Olmo were two of Spain's best players at Euro 2020 and they will be sorely missed here. The absence of experienced campaigners like Jordi Alba, Alvaro Morata and Thiago Alcantara will also affect Spain's chances against a well-settled Italian side.
Meanwhile, Italy have most of their starters ready and raring to go. Chiellini and Bonucci will play at the heart of defence. The formidable midfield trio of Jorginho, Marco Verratti and Nicolo Barella are fit and available. Ciro Immobile is an absentee but Chiesa and Insigne are set to start.
#3 Spain's lack of a natural no. 9
Spain's Alvaro Morata has been sidelined for the game against Italy with a torn muscle and won't be available until the end of October. Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno is also sidelined with an injury and as a result, Spain are without an out-and-out striker.
Neither Morata nor Moreno were at their best at Euro 2020. Both strikers failed to dispatch some great chances in the continental competition. However, Spain benefited greatly from Morata's movement and link-up play in the final third.
Despite dominating Italy for the greater part of the Euro 2020 semi-finals, Spain couldn't muster a win because they weren't clinical in front of goal. Not only have they not been able to address that issue properly, the situation seems to have worsened for Spain in the absence of two of their main marksmen.
Ferran Torres is likely to start as a false 9 against Italy on Wednesday. The 21-year-old is primarily a right winger but has shown that he's capable of leading the line if need be. But it might prove to be too much of an ask from the youngster on such a high-profile occasion whilst playing out of his natural position.
#2 Italy are unbeaten in 37 matches
Italy, under Roberto Mancini, have been a force to be reckoned with. The Azzurri last tasted defeat in 2018 against Portugal in the UEFA Nations League. They have since gone 37 matches without conceding defeat.
There is an air of inevitability about this Italian side. They have shown an incredible amount of grit and resolve to grind out results even in the most adversarial conditions in recent times. It is part of the reason why they won Euro 2020.
Italy won both the Euro 2020 semi-final and the final on penalties. They were trailing 1-0 as early as the 2nd minute of the final of the European championship. But they never gave up and forced the issue as England threatened to run away with it.
The unbeaten streak is emblematic of the character of this Italian side. They have the right mix of experience and youthful exuberance and this looks like one of those occasions that they will absolutely relish.
#1 Italy's midfield is well-settled as opposed to Spain's
Spain have some excellent technicians at the center of the park. Sergio Busquets is one of the best holding midfielders of his generation but he has been nowhere near his best in the 2021-22 season thus far. But he is a guaranteed starter thanks to his experience.
Koke is expected to be deployed as one of the central midfielders.17-year-old Barcelona midfielder Gavi is tipped to make his debut and start alongside Koke and Busquets. He is likely be tasked with providing thrust from midfield.
Meanwhile, Italy have all of their main midfielders to rely on. Jorginho, who has been in spectacular form this year, will play at the base of midfield. The extremely talented duo of Marco Verratti and Nicolo Barella are expected to operate on either side of him.
Italy's midfield is much more well-settled than Spain's. La Roja will be forced to look for a new combination whereas Italy will just need to stick to their guns. This could prove to be a major point of difference between the two sides.
