Quarter-finals: Belgium vs Italy, kick-off 8pm (UK time, BBC One)

Belgium and Italy collide in Munich this evening in the standout tie of Euro 2020's quarter-finals.

Italy have caught the eye during the tournament, shaking off the tag of dark horses and firmly placing themselves among the favourites to take home the trophy.

Belgium are looking to go one better than at Euro 2016, when they were knocked out in the last eight by surprise package Wales.

Story so far

Belgium breezed through the group stage, topping the group and winning all three games.

Portugal were meant to provide the Red Devils with a much sterner test in the round of 16 but a sensational Thorgan Hazard strike handed Roberto Martinez’s side a 1-0 victory.

Roberto Mancini’s side defeated Austria 2-1 in the last 16 after Italy also finished top of their group with maximum points. 

Yet the tie was not as straightforward as many predicted. 

The Italians struggled to break down the resolute Austrian defence and were forced into extra-time after a goalless 90 minutes.

But strikes from Matteo Pessina and Federico Chiesa ultimately helped see the Azzurri through to the quarter-finals.

Lukaku looking for a goal

Romelu Lukaku was uncharacteristically quiet against Portugal. 

The striker lost possession more times than any other player (13) and did not manage a single shot on target.

But the Azzurri will know not to expect a repeat performance at the Allianz Arena, having witnessed the powerful forward’s scintillating performances for Inter Milan throughout last season.

Lukaku, 28, helped the Italian giants to their first Serie A title since 2010 with 24 league goals.

And with leading goalscorers Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both exiting the tournament in recent days, he will have an eye on the Golden Boot.

Scary Spinazzola

Few players have shone at the Euros quite like Leonardo Spinazzola. 

The flying full-back has played a starring role in the Azzurri’s impressive run, picking up two UEFA Star of the Match awards.

Spinazzola is integral to Mancini’s system. The Roma star is allowed to bomb forward and has enough in his arsenal to give Belgian right wing-back Thomas Meunier nightmares.

Meunier got caught high up the pitch on numerous occasions against Portugal, which would have been punished with better finishing.

That is something he can not afford to do against Spinazzola and his Italian team-mates.

Belgium’s vulnerable back three

Belgium’s troubles at the back have been clear to see at Euro 2020, with Martinez undecided on his first-choice defenders. 

It is a glaring weakness in an otherwise formidable side.

Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen, the back three used against Portugal, are all on the wrong side of 30.

That ageing defence possesses very little pace but Martinez still opts for an extremely high line — making the Red Devils susceptible to the counter-attack.

This weakness could well be punished by the Italians, whose fluid transitions from defence into attack caught out both Switzerland and Turkey in the group stage. 

Midfield battle

Manuel Locatelli did not put a foot wrong in the group stage. 

The Sassuolo midfielder earned rave reviews for his displays, which saw him bag two goals from midfield.

Yet due to the return from injury of Marco Verratti, Locatelli found himself on the bench for the clash with Austria.

But Verratti, 28, did not disappoint. The PSG midfielder dictated the tempo of the game, working in tandem with Jorginho and Nicolo Barella.

The clash between that midfield line-up and Belgium’s central players will be an intriguing one this evening.

With Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness in doubt, the onus will be on Youri Tielemans and Axel Witsel to win the battle.