Spain, the Belgium-Italy shock, the possible Lukaku-Chiellini duel: five reasons to follow Euro 2020 this Friday

Between the show offered by La Roja, the Belgium-Italy shock or even the possible Romelu Lukaku-Giorgio Chiellini duel, there are plenty of reasons to follow this new day of Euro 2020 which marks the start of the quarter-finals.

To discover

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Today's program

Switzerland-Spain (1/4): 6 p.m. (TF1 & beIN Sports 1)

Belgium-Italy (1/4): 9 p.m. (M6 & beIN Sports 1)

Read also: The calendar of the quarter-finals of Euro 2020

A way to forget the disappointment of the Blues

Many supporters of the France team have encountered difficulties in finding sleep Monday night in the wake of the elimination of the Blues against Switzerland, after a match rich in twists and emotions.

Several days later, the bitter taste of defeat is still very present in the mouth.

To free yourself from it, nothing better than to immerse yourself in the flavors of the competition to enjoy these two beautiful first posters of the quarter-finals which feature four teams playing a game carried forward.

Two encounters that could well awaken your taste buds!

Read also: Qatar 2022: no revolution to wait for the Blues

Because Spain should do the show

For two matches, Spain has been attractive. After crushing Slovakia (0-5) in their third match in the group stage, they stuck five again, this time to Croatia in the round of 16 after extra time (3-5). La Roja therefore remains on ten goals scored in his last two meetings. An impressive statistic! An evolution that may have its source in the return of Sergio Busquets, absent at the start of the competition after having tested positive for Covid-19. With the Barcelonan, the Spanish selection, which appeared a little lost against Sweden (0-0) and Poland (1-1), has apparently found its compass, which shows it the way to the net. Against Switzerland, the defensive midfielder should indeed be present and the Spaniards should once again offer us a show.It is in any case the objective posted by Luis Enrique: "I am ready for matches like this (the 5-3 victory against Croatia) if we have another one, but I am not sure that my family and the fans think the same! We are not going to play long balls, practice defensive football even if our way of play results in uncontrolled matches. We only defend by trying to have possession of the ball and play, ”Spain coach told the Euro 2020 official website.playing defensive football even if our way of playing leads to uncontrolled matches. We only defend by trying to have possession of the ball and play, ”Spain coach told the Euro 2020 official website.playing defensive football even if our way of playing leads to uncontrolled matches. We only defend by trying to have possession of the ball and play, ”Spain coach told the Euro 2020 official website.

Luis Enrique after qualifying against Croatia: "It's a wonderful lesson"

For Belgium-Italy, the most beautiful poster of these quarter-finals

Another shock for Belgium. After painfully eliminating Portugal in the round of 16 (1-0), the Red Devils are once again attacking a big chunk of this Euro 2020 by facing Italy. The task promises to be all the more difficult for Roberto Martinez and his men as they should be deprived of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, their masters to play, affected against the Portuguese and who are still absent from training. With the probable unavailability of the two Belgian stars, the Squadra Azzura has the favors of the forecasts. Be careful though. Certainly, they have shone since the start of the competition to the point of becoming one of the most anticipated formations, but unlike Belgium, they have not yet had the opportunity to rub shoulders with a favorite.This will be the case this Friday evening in what looks like the most beautiful poster of these quarter-finals. A superb and uncertain match not to be missed!

Belgium ... without Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard?

“There is no major structural damage.

It means that their tournament is still relevant and is not over for them [...] The two players could be put back on their feet if there is still a match afterwards.

The news is therefore good and we will have to work day by day.

We still hope to recover them, it will be 50/50 for Friday. "

At the beginning of the week, at the microphone of the

RTBF

Roberto Martinez still hoped to be able to count on Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, respectively injured in the ankle and behind the thigh against Portugal, to face Italy in the quarter-finals.

Their presence on the lawn from the start of the meeting promises to be complicated.

On the eve of the confrontation, the two star players were absent from training.

Unless there is a sudden improvement, the coach of the Red Devils will have to deal without them.

It will be interesting to see which animation he chooses to annoy this beautiful Squadra Azzura team.

And which players will replace them.

Read also: Euro: Belgium without De Bruyne and Hazard against Italy?

Towards an exciting Romelu Lukaku-Giorgio Chiellini duel?

We salivate in advance. Giorgio Chiellini, muscled against Switzerland, is restored and applies for a place in the Italian eleven this Friday evening to face Belgium. His tenure is absolutely not acquired. Roberto Mancini wants to be cautious, as reported by

Gazzetta dello Sport

, and could continue to use the services of Francesco Acerbi against the Red Devils. However, on the other side of the Alps, the presence of the defender of Juventus Turin on the pitch from the kick-off is acclaimed to stop Romelu Lukaku, already scorer of three goals in the competition. The center-forward of Inter Milan, very powerful, fast, able to play with his back to goal, is one of the major weapons of the Belgian selection. Blocking it, at least restricting its impact, seems essential. And the captain of Squadra Azzura has arguments to achieve it: his experience, his cunning, his sense of anticipation and his harshness in duels. If the Italian coach decides to line him up from the start, then we should see a very good duel between two warriors!