London: Having emerged as one the favourites to win Euro 2020, after a perfect round-robin record, Roberto Mancini’s Italy start their second phase of the tournament against a less fancied Austrian side in the knockouts on Saturday.
After getting eliminated five years back at the hand of Germany in the quarterfinals, Italy return to the European stage with a 28-game unbeaten run under Mancini. Having made eight changes in their last group-stage encounter against Wales, Mancini highlighted how everyone in his team is worthy of a start.
Injured Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro Florenzi might be absent while Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Alessandro Bastoni may take their place with Leonardo Bonucci. Marco Verrati having recovered might also start as Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Berrardi make up the forward line.
Austria’s alignment is unlikely to be predictable as coach Franco Foda abruptly decided to drop their regular back three in the final Group G match against Ukraine. David Alaba and Stefan Islanker might start along with Marko Arnautovic.
Elsewhere in Amsterdam, 2016 semifinalists Wales face a resurrected Denmark. Both Wales and Denmark sailed into the knockouts finishing second-best in their respective groups. Wales would be without midfielder Ethan Ampadu, who got a red card against Italy.
The frontline would expectedly be Keiffar Moore along with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. Cris Mepham, Conor Roberts and Ben Davies could line up in front of ‘keeper Danny Ward. Denmark will still be without Christian Eriksen.
Kasper Schmeichel would be under the bars for Denmark with Andreas Christensen, captain Simon Kjær, Jannik Vastergaard helping him. The midfield will essentially feature Thomas Delaney, Daniel Wass and Pierre Emile Højbjerb.
Martin Braithwaite, Yussuf Poulsen and Mikkel Damsgaard will be leading the front line with the zeal to bring the trophy home, more for disheartened Eriksen.
