The Euro 2020 final is probably one of the most widely-anticipated finals of a major tournament in recent history. Read on to find out how to choose your squad for this massive match.
Euro 2020 Fantasy Football – The Final Picks
Quick Tips
Choosing the squad for this game might seem easy enough at first. With five free transfers in hand, most managers should have no problems getting 11 players. However, choosing the right players is easier said than done. You also have to think about the units available. The most important thing is to decide on a strategy. If you want to play it safe, you should try to get the best players from both sides and try to look for a balance. On the other hand, if you want to gamble, you could pick more players from one team. For the final, you can pick a maximum of eight players from the same team. So, you should decide on a strategy and also the formation beforehand. However, as we will get to see the confirmed line-ups before the deadline, you should not confirm the transfers before that.
Italy v England – Where the Match Could be Decided
England will be playing in their first final at a major tournament since 1966. Playing at home will certainly give them an advantage. Gareth Southgate has made one or two changes in his starting line-up in every game so far. He might play three at the back against Italy just like he did against Germany. In the semi-final, Spain had a lot of joy down their left flank in the first half, attacking the right-hand side of the Italian defence. Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Di Lorenzo were struggling to contain the attacks of Jordi Alba, Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo. In fact, had the Spanish attackers been sharper, the match would have been in their control. England could try to replicate that. Luke Shaw and Raheem Sterling are playing well and Sterling could be the key player in this game.
Roberto Mancini will likely use the same system that he has used throughout the tournament. However, his team did not play that well in the semi-final. In fact, for most of the game, they were dominated by the Spanish. Their midfield trio of Jorginho, Marco Verratti and Nicolo Barella has bossed every game before that but were made to work really hard by the Spanish. England do not play such a passing game and their midfielders have different qualities. So, Italy will expect a better performance from their midfield. It is likely to be very difficult for England to create much through the middle.
Euro 2020 Fantasy Football – Selecting the Squad
As the confirmed line-ups will be available before the deadline, you should decide on the final squad then. Having 11 starters should be the main aim. Kane and Immobile should start for both teams and you should have them both. Then, you hves to choose between the formations 3-5-2 and 4-4-2. It is advisable to have a balance of defensive players and goalkeepers from both teams. In this way, you can ensure points from a clean sheet for either side. For example, if you opt for the 3-5-2 formation, you should select two defenders from one team and one defender and keeper from the other. It is a safe way to play. However, if you are chasing the top position in your mini-league or want to gamble and move up the rankings, uoi can then gamble on one team and choose defensive players from that team only.
Draft Squad
Pickford/Donnarumma
Shaw Stones/Maguire/Walker Bonucci/Emerson
Chiesa Insigne Sterling and one or two from Mount/Saka/Barella/Jorginho
Kane Immobile and Belotti/Calvert-Lewin for the bench
Euro 2020 Fantasy Football Captaincy Picks
Choosing the right captain is absolutely vital for a one-off game like this. In fact, as most managers will have similar squads, the captaincy pick will likely decide the final rankings.
Harry Kane – Probably the safest choice. Kane has scored four goals in this tournament and, as the designated penalty-taker, always has a chance to do well. However, will the veteran Italian centre-back duo nullify him?
Raheem Sterling – Has had a brilliant tournament. Sterling will probably be the man worrying the Italians the most at this moment. His pace will trouble the Italian defence. Di Lorenzo has done well in previous games though so it should be a very interesting duel between them on that side.
Lorenzo Insigne – Likes to take a shot from distance. However, the English defence will likely not allow him to take many. Can get an assist as well.
Federico Chiesa – Likes to shoot even more than Insigne. He has played more minutes than Insigne in the last two matches. Interestingly, has scored in both games Italy have played at Wembley.
Nicolo Barella – Is the most advanced of the Italian midfield trio. He is often found in quite advanced positions.
Jorginho- As the designated penalty-taker, he could get a goal if Italy are awarded a penalty. Go for him only if you are feeling very lucky.
Defenders – In a tight game like this, you could captain a defender. A goalless draw after 120 minutes is definitely possible. A 1-0 victory for either side is likely as well. You could go for an attacking defender like Luke Shaw or Emerson, who might get an assist, or you could gamble on a goal from a set piece. Maguire, Stones and Bonucci are probably the most likely to score a header.
Overall, Kane is the safest choice for the armband.
The Last Word
It is going to be a really fascinating final. The Italians have a history of being in the finals of major tournaments and winning them. On the other hand, England have the home support and a sense of destiny behind them. If they can handle the pressure of playing such a big match, they could win this trophy.
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