England return to action for the first time since their World Cup quarter-final heartbreak tonight.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are in Naples, where they begin their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign against Italy in a rematch of the 2020 final.
It is the fourth time that these familiar foes have met in less than two years, with England bidding for a first win on Italian soil since all the way back in 1961 to start banishing memories of their agonising loss to France in Qatar in December in which Harry Kane smashed a late penalty over the crossbar.
Here, Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella looks at three key issues that could decide this evening’s clash at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Grealish’s time to shine
Jack Grealish is expected to get the nod over Phil Foden and start on the left of a front three.
Grealish has established himself at Manchester City this season and, with Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling missing through injury, these two qualifiers present him a chance to do the same in an England shirt.
His dribbling ability against a vulnerable Italian defence missing injured captain Leonardo Bonucci could be key.
Italian midfield threat
Italy will look to their midfield three of Jorginho, Marco Verratti and Nicolo Barella to provide control in perhaps the only area they are stronger than England.
The Italians did just that in the Euro 2020 final and it would be a big call from Southgate to start Kalvin Phillips, but he seems ready to put his faith in him.
Argentinian danger
With Ciro Immobile injured and a dearth of forwards available to Italy, Roberto Mancini has called up Argentina-born Mateo Retegui. The 23-year-old is an aggressive, powerful striker who has impressed this season on loan at Mexican side Tigre from Boca Juniors.
He qualifies for Italy through his grandparents and is vying with West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca to lead the line. If he gets the nod, Retegui arrives as an unknown quantity.
