Spain and Italy are set to clash in the Netherlands on Thursday, vying for a spot in the final of the 2022/23 Nations League. The match holds great significance as both teams aim to showcase their best form and secure a chance at claiming the coveted title.
The victorious team will advance to face either the Netherlands or Croatia in the ultimate showdown scheduled for Sunday. Meanwhile, the defeated side will compete in the third-place play-off on the same day, intensifying the stakes for both Spain and Italy.
Notably, Spain and the Netherlands have narrowly missed out on the title in the last two editions of the Nations League.
Consequently, this week's competition promises the crowning of a fresh champion. In the 2020/21 Nations League, Spain fell short of glory as they relinquished a one-goal advantage, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against France.
Eager to surpass their previous performance, Spain secured a spot in the semi-finals with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Portugal.
However, their squad will be without the influential Barcelona midfielder, Pedri, who remains sidelined due to a thigh injury.
It is worth noting that Spain halted Italy's remarkable unbeaten streak of 37 matches when the teams clashed in the semi-finals two years ago. As Thursday approaches, Spain will be determined to replicate their prior success and emerge triumphant once again against their Italian counterparts.