Ahead of the Euro 2020 quarter-final matches, Jose Mourinho has predicted which teams will progress to the next round of the tournament.
Jose Mourinho has tipped Spain, Italy, Denmark, and England to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
The European Championship resumes on Friday as the remaining eight teams compete in the quarter-final stage of the competition with one eye set on landing a spot in the final four.
Now, in an interview with talkSPORT ahead of the matches, Mourinho made his predictions for the following four fixtures.
Switzerland vs Spain – Spain
Despite finishing third in Group A, Switzerland defied the odds to beat world champions France in the last-16 on penalties. But as Granit Xhaka is suspended, Mourinho doesn’t expect another fairytale ending.
“Switzerland against Spain is also a big one but Granit Xhaka is not playing and they need him so Spain will go through,” he said.
Spain, meanwhile, beat Croatia 5-3 in the last-16 after finishing second in Group E.
Belgium vs Italy – Italy
This is arguably the biggest fixture in the quarter-finals as FIFA’s No.1-ranked team Belgium face seventh-placed Italy in Munich, Germany.
But Mourinho, who will coach Italian club AS Roma for next season, jokingly admitted he has no choice but to go for the away side.
“Belgium against Italy, that’s a big one, a really big one. If I don’t say Italy, tomorrow I land and they will kill me. So I have to say Italy,” he said.
Belgium knocked out defending champions Portugal in the last-16 by a 1-0 scoreline, while Italy beat Austria 2-1.
Czech Republic vs Denmark – Denmark
The Czech Republic overcame a defeat to England in their Group D finale to pull off a shock 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the last-16. Denmark, meanwhile, thrashed Wales 4-0 in their respective fixture.
“Czech Republic against Denmark will be a difficult one, but I will say Denmark,” said Mourinho.
England vs Ukraine – England
Despite Ukraine overcoming the odds to beat Sweden 2-1 in the last-16, Mourinho doesn’t expect a similar outcome against England.
The Three Lions topped Group D and turned it up last time out to beat Germany 2-0. Gareth Southgate’s men are yet to suffer a defeat or concede a single goal in Euro 2020 so far.
“England for sure,” said Mourinho.
Quizzed on the Three Lions’ chances of winning a first European title, he said: “I think so. Football is coming home. The final is at Wembley and England will be playing in it.”
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