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| Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Pirlo and Ignazio Abate after Italy lost the Euro 2012 final to Spain. |
The build-up to the end of May saw Chelsea fans across England look for any comparison between the 2012 season – where they beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final – and the season just gone, as they were left crossing their fingers and toes ahead of the 2021 Champions League showpiece against Manchester City.
Thanks to Thomas Tuchel‘s brilliance, Chelsea were able to outshine the Premier League champions and bring the European Cup back to west London. Now, as the whole of England looks towards Sunday, July 11, we ask ourselves: can history repeat itself once more?
Along with Manchester City winning the Premier League and Chelsea lifting the Champions League, 2012 also saw Italy lose the European Championship final, as they fell to a 4-0 defeat against Spain in Kyiv, Ukraine.
These comparisons carried several Chelsea fans to the final in Porto and now England fans are looking to that same ray of hope against Roberto Mancini‘s dangerous Italy side.
The Azzurri have been the standout performers so far at Euro 2020, while they are currently on an unbeaten streak of 33 games. En route to the final Italy have knocked out the likes of Belgium, the No.1 ranked team in the world, and Spain, with Lorenzo Insigne being a shining light for the team.
It’s still advantage England
But with the home ground advantage, England go into this game as the slight betting favourites.
Having conceded just one goal in their six games so far, Gareth Southgate‘s side have shown that they are a team to get behind at Euro 2020. The Three Lions also boast impressive options in attack, with the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and the creative Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, amongst others.
After England produced their first knockout win over Germany in an international competition since 1966, fans immediately looked towards Sunday’s Wembley final with only one phrase in mind: it’s coming home.