Irresistible Italy have the depth of talent to end Spain's chaotic run

It's hard not to get behind Italy in their Euro 2020 semi-final against Spain – and not only because they have played the best football in the tournament.

They have been irresistible playing on the front foot but I also think the last-16 game against Austria, when they won in extra-time after a goalless 90 minutes, was huge for them.

It could easily have gone wrong for Italy in the second half but Roberto Mancini stayed calm, used his subs well, and they were able to win in a different way than they had shown in the group stage.

Like Gareth Southgate, Mancini is not committed to a particular starting 11. He knows he has top-quality players coming off the bench and that approach served Italy well against Austria.

I could understand why people were still sceptical about Italy going into the tournament, asking who they had actually beaten of note during their long winning run.

Of course, you had to take seriously a team who hadn't lost for nearly three years but qualifying campaigns are totally different to tournament football.

But in the first half of the quarter-final against Belgium, Italy showed that they can play their way through top-class opponents so they look worthy favourites to beat Spain.

The only word I can use to describe Spain's campaign is 'chaotic'. They scored one goal in their first two games, then ten in their next two matches, but they keep making things difficult for themselves.

They should have won against Croatia and Switzerland with far greater comfort but gave themselves an extra half-hour to play in both ties.

I just can't see them defending neatly, cancelling out Italy, and winning, say, 2-0. If they are to progress, it will be a struggle and they may need penalties as they did in the quarter-finals.

Where you can make a case for Spain is in terms of their ability to cope with adversity.

Look at Alvaro Morata – hounded by the media for his misses in the group stage then scores a brilliant goal to change the tie against Croatia.

Look at the goalkeeper, Unai Simon, who made the error of the tournament in that game then came up with crucial saves at 3-3 and was the hero in the penalty shootout against Switzerland.

It's clearly not a great Spanish side but they are mentally strong. They don't have as many leaders on the pitch but coach Luis Enrique is an alpha figure in the camp and it would be dangerous to write them off.

Spain have potential matchwinners in Ferran Torres, who will be particularly important as Pablo Sarabia is set to miss out, and Gerard Moreno, who has been unlucky at this tournament after a 30-goal season for Villarreal.

For Italy, Federico Chiesa could be a key man. He was arguably Juventus's best player last season and should get another start for the Azzurri.

Spain have been creating chances throughout the tournament, even in those frustrating draws with Sweden and Poland, so I expect Italy to win but not by an enormous amount – maybe 2-1.

Danes pose a threat but England look so solid

England's quarter-final against Ukraine could not have gone any better, with goals for Harry Kane, another clean sheet, and the opportunity to rotate players in the final 25 minutes.

Ukraine were poor, probably the weakest of the third-placed qualifiers, but you can't take anything away from an England side who are still yet to concede a goal at the finals.

Apart from a few moments against Germany, it's been pretty chanceless for England at the back – Jordan Pickford came charging out of his goal and made a mess of a clearance against Ukraine but I think that was just to remind people he was still there!

Denmark have been superb in their last three matches and will pose a totally different challenge in the semis.

Before the tournament I had them down as a last-16 or quarter-final kind of team as I thought the lack of a quality centre-forward would hurt them against stronger opponents.

But Kasper Dolberg has hit form at the right time and they have other fresh attacking players, such as Martin Braithwaite and Mikkel Damsgaard, who are not regular starters at club level.

The spine of the team – Schmeichel, Kjaer, Delaney and Hojbjerg – is consistent but England's plan is impeccable, the players all get it, and their execution has been excellent.

It's not going to be anywhere near as comfortable for Southgate's side as the Ukraine game was but I'm going for a 1-0 England win.

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