02 July,2021 07:33 AM IST | Munich | AP
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku. Pic/Getty Images
Belgium's leading scorer at the European Championship is no stranger to Italy's veteran defenders. They all play in Serie A. Romelu Lukaku will likely be the main attacking threat when Belgium takes on Italy in Munich on Friday in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals. The Inter Milan forward has scored three goals in his team's four victories so far.
And with Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard both doubtful for the game, Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini and teammate Leonardo Bonucci - both defenders at Juventus - will know just who to focus on.
Belgium, which is trying to win its first major football tournament three years after a third-place finish at the World Cup, haven't lost in 13 games and are the top-ranked team in the world. The Italians haven't been beaten in a national team record 31 matches, though they were taken to extra time by Austria in the Round of 16.
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"It's a nice challenge to beat them after a run of 31 unbeaten games. I estimate the odds 50-50," said Belgium midfielder Thorgan Hazard, Both teams won all three of their group matches, and with France, Portugal, the Netherlands and Germany all eliminated, the winner in Munich will certainly be among the favourites for the title.
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"We must continue to believe in ourselves," Italy midfielder Jorginho said. "The most serious mistake would be to think that we've already done something great."
Neither De Bruyne nor Eden Hazard's injury worries are new. "I don't know if De Bruyne will play in the game, but he's definitely a player who makes the difference, with a higher-than-average football intelligence," said Jorginho, a Chelsea midfielder who plays against De Bruyne in the Premier League.
31
No. of matches Italy are currently unbeaten in
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