Our prediction for this match:
Stadio Renato Dall’Ara will host Friday’s football game between Italy and Czech Republic, the two teams who prepare for the 2020 European Championship finals. The Azzurri aim to build on a thrilling 7-0 win over San Marino, and they are likely to stick to their attacking style of play. You should bear in mind that Roberto Mancini’s troops are eyeing their eighth consecutive win in all competitions. Stefano Sensi has overcome his injury, while Bryan Cristante has been left out of the EURO 2020 squad.
The likes of Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, and Alessandro Florenzi are likely to return to the starting XI. PSG midfielder Marco Verratti is unlikely to be risked. The Czechs, on the other hand, continue to rely on Bayer Leverkusen attacker Patrik Schick. Jaroslv Slihavy’s troops, though, failed to impress in a 1-0 loss to Wales in their last WC qualifier, which is probably the main reason why home win should be considered.
Highlighted Player (Lorenzo Insigne):
Born in Frattamaggiore, Naples on June 4, 1991, Lorenzo Insigne is an Italian footballer who plays for his hometown club Napoli in the Serie A. Insigne is a product of Olimpia Sant’Arpino football school, but he joined the Partenopei at the age of 15.
The diminutive attacker scored his first ever goal in the Italian top flight on September 16, 2012 in a 3-1 win over Parma. Insigne, who played for the likes of Cavese, Foggia and Pescara on loan before returning to Naples, made his debut with the Italian national team on September 11, 2012 in the World Cup qualifier against Malta.
The Napoli forward scored his first ever goal for the Azzurri in a friendly against Argentina on August 14, 2013. His main position is left winger, but he is used as a second striker as well. Lorenzo Insigne has a contract with Napoli until June 30, 2022.
Highlighted Team (Czech Republic):
Czech Republic national team is the natural successor of the Czechoslovakia side that dominated world football during the 20th century, winning one European Championship trophy and coming second at 1934 and 1962 World Cups. After the separation of the country in 1992, Czech Republic continued the proud tradition by qualifying for each of the next six European Championship finals, losing to Germany in the final of the 1996 tournament.
The Czechs also reached the last eight at the 2012 finals, but their World Cup record of late is pretty disappointing. Since separating from Slovakia, Czech Republic only qualified for one of five World Cup finals. The 1996 generation, featuring players like Pavel Nedved, Karel Poborsky and Patrik Berger, will forever remained etched in the fans’ memory, while the likes of Milan Baros, Jan Koller, Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky are some of the other notable footballers.
Highly rated goalkeeper Petr Cech is the team’s most capped player, whereas towering forward Jan Koller tops the goalscoring charts with 55 strikes in 91 games.