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The final of Euro 2020 is just a few hours away, and the hype is off the charts. England host Italy at the Wembley on Sunday night as both footballing giants will battle it out to become the European champions.
Both teams have been absolutely brilliant at Euro 2020 and deserve to be in the final. Italy needed a penalty-shootout against Spain after playing out a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes to reach the title match. Meanwhile, a late Harry Kane goal in extra time saw England get past resilient Denmark to book their place against Italy in the final.
This will be England’s first-ever appearance in a European Championship final and their first at a major tournament since winning the 1966 FIFA World Cup. For Italy, this is their fourth European Championship final and their first in nine years.
It is rare to see both the best teams in a tournament reach the final, but that has been the story of Euro 2020 thus far. Both finalists have had flawless campaigns thus far.
On that note, let's take a look at a hypothetical combined XI of both teams ahead of the Euro 2020 final.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
It was a tough call to make, considering how reliable and consistent both Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jordan Pickford have been at Euro 2020. But Donnarumma gets the nod, as he has been a towering presence between the posts for Italy and has arguably shone brighter than Pickford at the tournament.
It is impressive to see Donnarumma dishing out performances belying his 22 years of age. His ability to cope with pressure situations makes him one of the best in the game at the moment. With three clean sheets and solid performances throughout the tournament, Donnarumma has had a Euro 2020 campaign to remember.
Although England boast the best defensive record at Euro 2020 and Jordan Pickford has already won the Golden Glove, Donnarumma is more deserving of his place in this hypothetical XI.
Right-Back: Kyle Walker (England)
Euro 2020 has seen Kyle Walker transform his game to another level. Pace has been his strength for many years, and he showcased that in the semi-final against Denmark on several occasions.
Walker was Manchester City's best player in the Champions League final defeat against Chelsea last season. Against Italy, the right-back will hope to replicate the same performance, while coming out at the right end of the result in the Euro 2020 final.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo was the other option for the right-back position in this hypothetical XI. The 27-year old has had an amazing Euro 2020 campaign since taking over from Alessandro Florenzi.
Right Centre-Back: Harry Maguire (England)
There is truth in the fact that Harry Maguire doesn't get the respect he deserves. With his size and stature, it is not easy to get past Maguire as an attacker, and the 28-year old is amazing on the ball as well.
The Manchester United captain is a threat to the opposition in both halves of the pitch and will be a key man for England during set plays in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.
Maguire missed a couple of games due to injury but has been a massive factor in England's amazing defensive numbers at Euro 2020. It might be a long shot, but Harry Maguire could also be the Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020.
Left Centre-Back: Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)
Giorgio Chiellini gets the nod over Leonardo Bonucci as the centre-back in this hypothetical XI.
He might not have the ball-playing attributes of Bonucci, but he is the epitome of how old-fashioned defending can make the same impact. With his tackling prowess, positioning sense and aggression, Chiellini is a dream defender to have in the XI, and he is also one of the greatest defenders of his generation.
Chiellini will be 37 next month, but his performances at Euro 2020 have been nothing short of phenomenal. Like Maguire, even Chiellini missed a couple of games due to injury, but his leadership and experience at the back has served Italy well in the tournament.
Left-Back: Luke Shaw (England)
The season just keeps getting better and better for Luke Shaw. After a stellar campaign at the club level, the Manchester United defender has replicated that form with England at Euro 2020. Shaw has been England's most creative player in the tournament while also helping his team boast the best defensive record.
It would have been a tough call between Shaw and Leonardo Spinazzola had the latter not injured his Achilles tendon. Spinazzola had an impressive campaign and has been arguably Italy's best player at Euro 2020.
Right Central Midfielder: Nicolo Barella (Italy)
The 24-year old has also been a key player for Roberto Mancini in Italy's Euro 2020 campaign. Nicolo Barella's development in the last two years has been noteworthy. The midfielder has upped his level since joining Inter.
With one goal and two assists, Barella is only behind Ciro Immobile for most goal contributions for Italy at the tournament thus far. Not only can he provide with goals and assists, Barella can win back possession quickly and recover the ball.
Barella provides the zip in Roberto Mancini’s Italy midfield and complements Jorginho and Marco Verratti well.
Central Midfielder: Jorginho (Italy)
Jorginho has had a year where he has turned haters into fans. Often criticised for his physicality and goal contributions in the Premier League, the Brazilian-born midfielder has proved his prowess this season.
Jorginho is known for his ability with the ball, and his composure and awareness make him unique. Under Roberto Mancini, Jorginho has been an integral part of Italy, with 29 of his 34 appearances for the Azzurri coming since the arrival of the new boss.
The Chelsea star nonchalantly chipped the winning penalty against Spain in Italy's semi-final shootout win, with his trademark hop, skip and jump run-up. to book his team's place in the Euro 2020 final.
Left Central Midfielder: Marco Verratti (Italy)
Marco Verratti takes the spot to complete an all-Italian midfield in this hypothetical XI.
Italy are a well-drilled side, with their three-man midfield being at the core of that. Barella provides the Azzurri with flair; Jorginho brings control in the middle of the park, and Marco Verratti wins the ball while also dropping deep to set the tempo of games.
That takes nothing away from the duo of Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice, who have had flawless Euro 2020 campaigns till now. Coming against this Italian midfield in the Euro 2020 final will a big test for the two Englishmen, though.
Right Winger: Raheem Sterling (England)
Not many people were in favour of Southgate's decision to play Raheem Sterling in the starting eleven at Euro 2020 over the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish.
But not only has Sterling repaid his coach's faith, the 26-year-old has silenced all critics with his performances at Euro 2020. It has been a tough season for Sterling at club level. The winger did manage ten goals and seven assists in the league, but he was far from his best. A rather unflattering performance in the Champions League final did not help his cause either.
Now, though, things are different, and Sterling is looking like a man on a mission at Euro 2020. The ex-Liverpool man has scored three goals and has an assist to his name. He won the penalty against Denmark, which put England through to the Euro 2020 final.
Mancini has singled out Sterling and said that Italy would have to be extra cautious when the Englishman is on the ball.
Striker: Harry Kane (England)
While he did start slow, Harry Kane has found his shooting boots at Euro 2020. The Tottenham Hotspur striker went without a goal in the group stage but has now scored in both knockout-round games.
Southgate and other English fans might be relieved to see Kane performing when it mattered most. After a productive Premier League season that saw Kane leading the charts for both goals and assists, the 27-year-old now has a chance to win the first trophy of his career.
With four goals in the Euro 2020 knockout rounds, Kane is back in the mix for the tournament's Golden Boot award. He needs one goal to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick, who have scored five goals apiece, while a brace will see him win the Golden Boot outright.
Left Winger: Lorenzo Insigne (Italy)
The final spot in the hypothetical XI goes to Italy's Lorenzo Insigne. The 30-year-old is Italy's talisman in many ways and is involved in most of their attacks. The Napoli captain is known for his creativity, speed and technical ability and will look to guide his team to Euro 2020 glory.
The battle between Insigne and Walker should be an interesting one, given how attack-minded Kyle Walker is. Insigne has all the skills in his armory to hurt England and will be a man to look out for in the Euro 2020 final.
