MOLINEUX STADIUM, WOLVERHAMPTON โ England play their first home match of the latest UEFA Nations League campaign against Italy on Saturday.
The game, which is being played at Wolves’ home of Molineux, is being held officially behind closed doors as a punishment for the violent disorder by fans around Wembley on the day of the Euro 2020 final between these teams last year.
UEFA rules mean there will be some schoolchildren present, though, as the Three Lions attempt to secure their first win of Group A3 following a shock loss to Hungary and a 1-1 draw with Germany in Munich.
MORE: UEFA Nations League 2022 fixtures, results, tables, standings
Live from the West Midlands, The Sporting News brings you all the latest updates, commentary and highlights below.
England vs. Italy live score
| 1H | 2H | FT | |
| England | |||
| Italy |
England vs. Italy commentary, highlights
15 mins to KO: Like Abraham, Fikayo Tomori is a Serie A star ready to make his mark in an England shirt. The centre-back has been brilliant for AC Milan this term, playing 31 games en route to their title success. Tomori is making his first international appearance of 2022, and just his third overall, with Southgate criticised by fans in recent international windows for not calling up the 24-year-old.
30 mins to KO: The stand here at Molineux which usually houses the away fans for club games is filling up with schoolchildren for this ‘behind-closed-doors’ clash. There appears to be around 15 different classes so far, and they’re making themselves heard – even booing the Italian players during the warm-ups!
๐ The Italy players are roundly booed by the schoolchildren in attendance at Molineux during the warmups. #NationsLeague | #ENGITA pic.twitter.com/WWKNgu7TRc
โ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฌ UK ๐ฌ๐ง (@sportingnewsuk) June 11, 2022
45 mins to KO: Italy come into this game off the back of a mixed month so far. The win over Hungary and draw with Germany in the Nations League followed a comprehensive 3-0 loss to Argentina in Finalissima – a contest between the European and South American champions at Wembley. The Azzurri were completely outplayed in that showpiece, with Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria causing the back-line constant issues.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Harry Kane misses out on #ENGITA. The star striker is rested for the UEFA #NationsLeague clash.
โฝ๏ธ Tammy Abraham has big boots to fill, with the Spurs superstar on a blistering run of international form. pic.twitter.com/3AwpdXwvGR
โ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฌ UK ๐ฌ๐ง (@sportingnewsuk) June 11, 2022
1 hour to KO: In addition to tonight representing a huge opportunity for Abraham, at the opposite end of the field, Aaron Ramsdale gets a rare chance to impress in his battle with Jordan Pickford for the No.1 shirt. The Arsenal shot-stopper racked up 12 clean sheets in the 34 league appearances during his debut season in North London, impressing with his commanding presence and immediately taking on a leadership role last summer.
1 hour 15 mins to KO: Team news is in…
Your #ThreeLions to take on Italy! ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ pic.twitter.com/0UACsiZQxR
โ England (@England) June 11, 2022
Our starting XI to take on England ๐#ENGITA #NationsLeague #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/1qnubf7x2v
โ Italy โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ (@Azzurri_En) June 11, 2022
1 hour 30 mins to KO: England boss Gareth Southgate told his pre-match press conference of the squad status: “There is nobody we can’t use.
“We have got to think about some things we have got to see, the freshness of the team as well. I think this is a good game for some of the other players to come into. It is a top-level game and is a good sign to show trust towards the players going into these games.
“I think if we only give players certain types of matches, you don’t find out enough about them and they don’t find out enough about the tactical challenge.”
1 hour 45 mins to KO: England, who are seeking a first Nations League win in this latest edition, are expected to hand a start to Roma striker Tammy Abraham in place of Harry Kane. The former Chelsea man enjoyed a superb 2021/22 campaign in Italy.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ฎ๐น We’re here at Molineux for #ENGITA in the UEFA #NationsLeague, as England look to pick up a first win of the campaign on matchday three. pic.twitter.com/TZ50vcPXcs
โ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฌ UK ๐ฌ๐ง (@sportingnewsuk) June 11, 2022
2 hours to KO: Hello, and welcome to this UEFA Nations League match between England and Italy. The clash at Molineux will be the first competitive meeting between these sides since the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley last year, when Italy triumphed on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
How to watch England vs. Italy
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| Date | June 11 | June 11 | June 11 | June 12 |
| Time | 19:45 BST | 14:45 ET | 14:45 ET | 04:45 AET |
| TV channel | Channel 4 | ViX | – | Optus Sport |
| Streaming | All 4/Premier Player | fuboTV | DAZN | Optus Sport |
In the US, televised UEFA Nations League games are also available on fuboTV.
In Canada, every UEFA Nations League game streams live on DAZN.
MORE: What is the Nations League and how does the Nations League work?
England vs. Italy betting odds
| UK (Sky Bet) |
USA (DraftKings) |
Canada (Sports Interaction) |
|
| [Home] Win | 4/5 | -130 | 1.76 |
| Draw | 12/5 | +240 | 3.35 |
| [Away] Win | 15/4 | +370 | 4.30 |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 6/5 | +115 | 2.15 |
| Both Teams to Score | 1/1 | -105 | 1.97 |