But plenty has changed since that match. Here’s what fans can expect.
Italy
The Italians have struggled mightily with consistency on the international stage. The team failed to qualify for two straight World Cups but won the European Championships on the back of a 37-game unbeaten run in the interim.
Which version of the Italians will show up? The one that holds its nerve to defeat England at Wembley or the one that can’t even shut down North Macedonia on home turf?
Fans of the Champions League may expect the former, given that three Italian teams made it to the quarterfinals and one — Napoli — may win the whole thing. But coach Roberto Mancini feels differently.
“These teams are Italian, but there aren’t too many Italian players,” he told Sky Sports. “That’s the problem. If you see the three Italian teams left in the Champions League, they have seven or eight Italians combined. That is not a lot.”
The lack of top Italian players really shows itself in the forward line, where Mancini will rely on West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca for goals. Regular viewers of West Ham will scoff at this — they spent the first half of the season relying on Scamacca, but he couldn’t deliver.
But there is depth to this Italian squad elsewhere. Left back Leonardo Spinazzola has returned from his heartbreaking 2021 injury and is in decent form at AS Roma. Midfielder Marco Verratti has been one of the few bright spots of Paris Saint Germain’s regrettable season.
Wide players Federico Chiesa and Wilfried Gnonto are perhaps Italy’s strongest hope for the future — a fascinating turn of events for a team that hasn’t traditionally leveraged wingers of their ilk.
England
While Italy has struggled with consistency, England is blissfully stable for the first time in decades.
The Three Lions are on an excellent run under coach Gareth Southgate, with a top four finish at the 2018 World Cup and a top-two finish at the last Euros. England is a top team, one that should be able to defeat this Italy with ease.
England, however, hasn’t beaten Italy since 2012. Six consecutive matchups have ended in draws or defeats for the Three Lions.
Some of this comes down to defense. Southgate placed immense confidence in Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, players who have looked shaky against European opposition. But most of it comes down to offense. In those six unsuccessful meetings against Italy, England never scored more than one goal in a game.
England’s fiery front line will hope to change that. Harry Kane is just one goal from breaking England’s all-time scoring record. Bukayo Saka is having the season of his life at Arsenal, with double-digit goals and assists. And Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are finally coming to life after less-than-stellar starts to their seasons.
Everything points to England seeming ready to make a statement.
