Italy will face another tough test at Euro 2020 this Tuesday evening as they take on an ever-improving Spain side in the first of this summer’s two semi-finals at Wembley.
Having overcome Austria and Belgium in the knockout rounds so far - needing extra time to overcome Austria before stepping up to another level against Belgium. Spain, meanwhile, needed penalties to beat Switzerland and extra time to get past Croatia.
Here are five things that could decide Tuesday's semi-final.
Managing the press
Something else that Luis Enrique’s will have to do if they are to book a second date at Wembley is to find a way to beat Italy’s press, particularly early on.
The Azzurri are aggressive and relentless from the off and for about 70-75 minutes in most games, then slowing things down a little if they’re in the position to manage the final moments before full time. With their midfielders as well as Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile and Federico Chiesa all bags of energy, Spain will need to be at their best.
Following Unai Simon’s unfortunate error against Croatia, too, Italy might just sense something that they can look to exploit.
