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Italy vs. Finland live stream: Watch Euro 2020 qualifying online

By Clemente Lisi

VERONA, ITALY - JANUARY 27: Federico Chiesa of ACF Fiorentina celebrates the victory after during the Serie A match between Chievo Verona and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on January 27, 2019 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
VERONA, ITALY - JANUARY 27: Federico Chiesa of ACF Fiorentina celebrates the victory after during the Serie A match between Chievo Verona and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on January 27, 2019 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) /
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Italy opens up their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Finland on Saturday, March 23. Here’s all the info you need to watch.

Italy’s Group J encounter against Finland on Saturday at the Stadio Friuli in Udine is another chance for manager Roberto Mancini to show off the country’s best young players.

Mancini’s aim is not only to qualify the Azzurri for the European Championship in two years time, but rebuild a team deeply bruised after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Mancini has called up 29 players to camp during this week’s international window, highlighted by a new generation of talented strikers that include Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa, Udinese’s Kevin Lasagna and the Juventus duo of Federico Bernardeschi and Moise Kean. Chiesa has been particularly good this season, while Bernadeschi has come into his own playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mancini’s other notable call ups are the uncapped Alessio Cragno, Armando Izzo, Gianluca Mancini, Nicolo Zaniolo and Leonardo Pavoletti. Many of these players formed the core of Italy’s Under-21 side. Zaniolo could make his national team debut at just 18 after a strong season with Roma in both Serie A and the Champions League.

For a team that have always relied on a strong defense, the overwhelming amount of strikers (both young and veteran) means the former Manchester City manager, who was appointed Italy coach last year, will have to figure out which ones will work best in his 4-3-3 setup.

The team’s veterans are Juve’s two key defenders, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, along with Sampdoria forward Fabio Quagliarella. The 36-year-old isn’t a long-term solution, but Mancini could not avoid it given that the striker leads Serie A in scoring with 21 goals. Left out of the side this time are two other strikers: Torino’s Marco Belotti and Marseille bad boy Mario Balotelli.

Italy are currently 18th in the latest FIFA rankings, while Finland are 59th. The rankings do highlight the gulf in talent between the sides, with Finland coming off two consecutive defeats in the UEFA Nations League last year to Greece and Hungary.

Next. Best live streams to watch sports. dark

The European qualifier between Italy and Finland will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Live streaming is available on ESPN+, which you can access with your cable or satellite subscriptions, either online or through the ESPN+ app.

Date: Saturday, March 23
Start time: 3:45 p.m. ET
Location: Udine, Italy
Stadium: Stadio Friuli
TV Info: ESPN+
Live Stream: ESPN+ | Fubo.TV. Sign up for a free seven-day trial here.

The Italians have never lost to Finland, holding an all-time record of 11-1-0. With so much newfound excitement surrounding the side, the four-time World Cup winners will undoubtedly set their sights on getting their qualifying campaign off on the right foot.

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