Euro 2020: Why Italy V Austria is a walkover for the Azurris
2021-06-22 News
Italy has almost 70% chance of beating Austria easily
Italy will be stepping out this Saturday with all the confidence of conquerors. The Azurris were practically dictatorial in their 3 group games, beating all of their opponents, and even fielding what might be called a Team B in the last game against Wales, and yet still came out on top. Their goalkeeper Gianlugi Donnarumma is now a frontrunner for the Best Young Player of the Tournament after becoming the youngest ever goalkeeper to keep 3 consecutive clean sheets at the Euros. Italy have now claimed 11 consecutive victories without conceding a single goal, and have been unbeaten in 30 games.
But who is standing in their way to glory?
Standing in the way of the Italians is the team from Austria, or Das Team as they are popularly called. Austria impressively got into their first-ever knockout round in the history of the European championships. Despite being a good side who picked up 6 points, Das Team looks likely to be outgunned by an impenetrable Italy in Wembley on Sunday. That is why leading prediction experts at betBonanza have confidently predicted a 54% likelihood for Roberto Mancini’s men to win to nil.
Going into the tournament, Italy was rated as a dark horse to lift the trophy, but have since been promoted to the genuine contender's category. They powered to 3-0 triumphs over Turkey and Switzerland before edging out Wales 1-0 with a much-changed line-up. Roberto Mancini is already dreaming of glory in Wembley, as he said: “it’s nice for us to go to Wembley, it’s a wonderful arena, but this is the start of a whole new competition and of course we’ll need to play very well to go all the way.” His star striker Ciro Immobile was one of those who rested against Wales after netting in the opening two games, should be fit and ready for action against Austria. betBonanza predicts that Immobile to score the first goal is a worthy favourite at 5.00 odds. Immobile to score and Italy to win is also 37% likely at 2.70 odds. Italy has already scored 3 goals in 2 of their group games, which makes scoring 3 goals pretty likely at 45%. Italy is yet to concede in the tournament, and after keeping clean sheets against stronger sides like Switzerland and Wales, Austria does not look like a side that can break the Azurris’ streak. That is why betBonanza has predicted that banking on Italy to win 1-0, 2-0, and 3-0 is 45% likely.
For Austria having reached the knockout stage of the Euros for the first time in their history, they have shown the will to fight and win. They fought hard against North Macedonia and showed great resilience against a team like Ukraine. But frankly, too much was not expected from this Austrian side that was beaten 4-0 by Denmark as recently as March 2021. Facing Italy’s high-tempo play, fluidity, slick passing and movement up front with the likes of Insigne, Immobile, Locatelli and Jorginho, will definitely be too much for Das Team to handle.
But Austria does not have 0% against Italy? Not really. In football, it is not over until it is over. They were able to beat North Macedonia 3-1, and Ukraine 1-0. So they could spring a surprise. Coach Franco Foda’s side could do the expected in every football match which is to score a goal. That is why Italy to not keep a clean sheet is 51% likely. That's fair to the Austrians as worthy contenders.
Fun Fact: Austria have not beaten Italy since 1960, which is over 60 years. They played 13 times since then and Italy has won 10 times.