Frank Lampard is under no illusions about what a tough task England face against Italy tonight.
But the former Three Lions midfielder still reckons Harry Kane and Co have enough to darken the Azzurri’s day and put an end to their impressive unbeaten run.
He said: “We definitely stand a chance.
“It’s a tough match with a tough team who have a real spirit and momentum about them, but I don’t think they have players better than us and we’re also in good nick.
“Spain gave Italy some real problems playing with a false nine.
“We’ll play Harry Kane and obviously Harry is very adept at coming into that false nine area among that aggressive Italian midfield.
“They want to jump and press, almost play like a four and then a six in front of them in terms of the wingers and frontmen.
“And if we can play well enough and get through that press, and then try to use our speed and energy against their back line, which is clearly ageing…
“You imagine the speed of a Sterling, a Saka, a Sancho, Mount, Foden, all of our attacking players.
“We can cause them a lot of problems defensively.
“But we have to be careful because of the counter-attacking they do.
“If we play four at the back, which is what I imagine they will do, we have to be really careful as they have some really good players — Federico Chiesa looks a really good player, doesn’t he?
“They have options who can come off their bench, they have power and strength throughout their team.
“It will be fascinating to watch it.”
Frank Lampard was speaking to the Football Writers’ Association’s Pressbox Confidential podcast.
