England’s line-up for the Euro 2020 final against Italy has been leaked ahead of Sunday’s huge Wembley clash, with Buyako Saka benched.
It is claimed manager Gareth Southgate will revert to a more defensive team against the Italians, as the Three Lions aim to get their hands on a first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
After beating Denmark 2-1 in the semi-final, it was expected Southgate would stick with the same formation and likely also the exactly the same team line-up for the final.
But leaks on Sunday claimed the boss has opted to take a more pragmatic approach to the huge test against Italy – easily their biggest of the tournament so far.
Widespread reports on Sunday afternoon suggested Keiran Tripper will return to the starting XI, with the boss opting for a back-five.
The Atletico Madrid right-back will replace Saka in the team, with the Arsenal teenager back on the bench.
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Harry Kane will of course lead the line up front as he aims to add to his four goals, with Raheem Sterling – who has three strikes at the tournament – on the left wing.
Mason Mount will reportedly be moved onto the right, with Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips keeping their place in central midfield – as Southgate sticks with the reliable duo and ensures they will have started every game of the Euros.
Luke Shaw and Trippier will be employed as wing-backs on the left and right sides respectively, while John Stones, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker are set to combine in a back-three.
Jordan Pickford will keep his place in goal, having already secured the most clean sheets in the tournament with five, and will hope to make it six against the Italians.
Southgate has been urged to opt for a more positive and attacking team for the final, especially after Italy struggled against Spain before sealing their final spot in a penalty shoot-out in the semi-final.
Spain enjoyed success by overloading their midfield against Italy, starting the game with Dani Olmo as a false-nine which allowed the playmaker to bring wide men into play.
There’s little doubt Southgate will have done his research – he even missed out on a team talk from Hollywood legend Tom Cruise to re-watch tapes of his opponents.
But former England boss Glenn Hoddle was among those saying England should star on the offensive against the Azzurri, saying pace will be key.
“I’m glad we’re playing Italy and not Spain. I think Spain would have caused us more problems,” Hoddle told talkSPORT ahead of Sunday’s final.
“I’m looking at Italy and I think they have been brilliant but I think they might have peaked too early. They have been absolutely fantastic. That triangle of Chiellini, Bonucci, and Jorginho but it’s aging now. They looked really tired at the end of that game whereas we looked so strong.
“It might just be one game too far for Italy. I just see them fatigued.
“I think we’ve got defenders and those two in midfield, we’ve got people like [Kyle] Walker, who is up against [Lorenzo] Insigne – he ain’t going to go by him on the outside. He isn’t going to have the pace to go by him. If we can smother them and then go and hurt them with the players that we have got.
“We have got a fabulous bench. If we’re 1-0 down in the second-half we have got game-changers from the bench.”
It’s likely seeing young Gunner Saka benched after an impressive tournament will puzzle pundits and supporters, but Southgate has got it right thus far.
Phil Foden is the manager’s only injury concern ahead of the final, with the Manchester City midfielder a doubt for the showpiece match with a slight knock.
“He’s a doubt. We’ve been on the bus for the last couple of hours,”
Southgate said on Saturday after Foden missed England’s final training session.
“The medical team will give us a final update later. It’s not something that’s serious, it’s just a case of whether it keeps him out of this particular game.”
Tune into talkSPORT from 8pm for LIVE commentary of Italy vs England in the Euro 2020 from Wembley!