As the clock ticks towards the 8pm kick-off time, the England team bus is on its way from the Grove Hotel in Watford to keep a date with destiny at Wembley.
Fans are cheering the squad in a pleasant style with exuberance is very much the top note in Leicester Square. One of the excited fans, Thulase Sivasothy, 23, from south London told the Press Association; “We’ve just come out of there because it was too much,”
“They’re trying to barricade the road and everything. We were just in Soho now and it’s crazy. There’s so much passion in London today.”
Similarly, Eric Pinto, 23, from London said; “People are throwing beers. But that’s England, that’s how we celebrate. I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like if we win. I’ve got a good feeling about tonight. Everything’s been going right up until now. It’s coming home.”
Who’s in, who’s out?
With less than three hours for the referee to flag off proceedings at Wimbledon and great expectations on possible lineups for both nations tonight, the biggest question surrounding today’s two sides is whether Phil Foden will have any part to play for England.
The Manchester City starlet started England’s first two games before being relegated to the bench for Bukayo Saka and has only managed a cameo against Denmark since – and news that he has picked up a foot injury in training looks like it might be about to rob him of a final appearance.
Speculations are flying high that Saka too may miss the starting cut, with Kieran Trippier mooted to come in as part of a reshuffle for a 3-4-3 over the 4-2-3-1 that England has preferred.
Italy, meanwhile, is expected to keep a 4-3-3 – but of course remain without Leonardo Spinazzola, whose Achilles injury in the quarter-finals has denied him a shot at Wembley too.
Gareth Southgate deployed the 3-5-2 to good effect against Germany in the round of 16 and will do the same for the showpiece match. England will play a back five against Italy in the final of Euro 2020 with Kieran Trippier replacing Bukayo Saka in the starting XI, Goal has learned.
Gareth Southgate has generally used a 4-2-3-1 formation through England’s run to a first major final for 55 years, however, they did play with a 3-5-2 against Germany in the round of 16.
According to reports, a similar tactic will be deployed to nullify the attacking threat of the Italians at Wembley on Sunday evening, with Atletico Madrid right-back Trippier coming in.
Who will play for England?
Jordan Pickford is expected to keep his place in goal for England, having only let in one goal in six matches at Euro 2020, breaking 1966 World Cup-winning keeper Gordon Banks’ record for consecutive minutes without conceding along the way.
In front of him, it is expected England will deploy three central defenders, with Kyle Walker moving in from right-back alongside John Stones and Harry Maguire, as he did to good effect in the 2-0 win over the Germans.
Trippier played right wing-back in that match and will do the same in the final, with Manchester United’s Luke Shaw on the left. Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips will be maintained in their holding midfield roles, it is understood, despite speculation that the more experienced Jordan Henderson might return.
Mason Mount, who has played as an attacking central midfielder through most of Euro 2020, is instead set to play as part of the forward three alongside Raheem Sterling and captain Harry Kane.
Saka played as one of the frontmen against Germany, however, regular starter Mount was ruled out of that match as he had to self-isolate after being a close contact with Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for coronavirus.
Who misses out?
Aside from Saka, who is unfortunate to miss out after some impressive performances at Euro 2020, Phil Foden is also set to not be picked in the starting XI after missing training on Saturday with a foot problem.
They could both be used from the subs’ bench, however, in what is England’s first major final since winning the World Cup at Wembley in 1966.
It has been 54 years, 11 months, and 11 days since Bobby Moore found Geoff Hurst with that long rake down the inside-left channel, some people making their way onto the Wembley pitch under the misguided impression it was all over.
England has been waiting patiently for another It Is Now! moment ever since. Well, here we are. A second major title has never been so close. Is it now? God speed, you three lions. Oh, and best of luck to Italy as well, because the MBM is fair like that. May the best team win.
Whatever happens tonight, history will be kind to Euro 2020. Its legacy is rock-solid, water-tight, air-locked, vacuum-sealed, and double-vaxxed. It’s been a blast from the get-go, and the best two teams have made it to the end. It’s unquestionable! – Goal.com and agency reports
