Teams

Italy have had a turbulent few years by their standards having failed to qualify for the last two World Cups. Yet, they are the defending European Champions where, three years ago at Wembley, they managed to edge past England on penalties to claim their second European title. They are a side who stumbled through qualifying too, where they finished second to England and only pipped Ukraine to second place through goal difference to qualify for the tournament automatically instead of requiring a playoff. Italy finished third in the UEFA Nations League last summer – they lost to eventual winners Spain, who they will face again in the Group Stages this year, in the semi-finals before beaten the Netherlands 3-2 in the 3rd/4th play off, but it may be a tough task for them to repeat the theatrics of three years ago in Germany. They’re in a really tough group and form is not really on their side.